At the moment, France is the only EU country with which India has flights under the air bubble deal. AI and Lufthansa will resume flights between India and Germany from the end of this month.
While India and Germany have excellent relations, trouble has been brewing on the aviation front for some time. Last month, India had asked Lufthansa and French Air to fly Indian citizens only between India and the EU under the air bubble deal. EU airlines were offering tickets between North America and India also under the bubble.
Then there was concern about the disparity in the number of flights operated by AI and Lufthansa under the bubble. “Unlike the Indian airlines that operate 3-4 flights per week, Lufthansa operates 20 flights per week. Despite this disparity, we offered to authorize 7 flights a week for Lufthansa, which was not accepted by them. Negotiations continue, ”said a senior Indian aviation official.
While India says it “formalized an air bubble with Germany in July 2020,” Lufthansa said on Tuesday, while announcing the cancellation of all its flights to India until October 20, that “India has so far not accepted the invitation of the German government to discuss details about a temporary travel agreement between the two countries. ”
“Lufthansa sincerely urges the Indian authorities to work together with the German government to establish a temporary travel agreement between the two countries…. Unexpected rejection of the Lufthansa flight program scheduled for October by the Indian authorities. Lufthansa had requested the continuation of special flights that it was granted to operate until the end of September…. Due to the rejection of the Indian government, Lufthansa will now have to cancel all scheduled flights between Germany and India between September 30 and October 20, “said the Lufthansa statement issued on Tuesday.
In October, Lufthansa had scheduled flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai. “The October flight schedule would essentially have been an extension of the already limited number of flights between India and Germany that Lufthansa has been reintroducing to the Indian market since June… As visa issuance restarts and demand for flights to and from India, It is regrettable that Lufthansa is currently being unnecessarily restricted in its ability to serve its loyal Indian customers and allow the desired travel, “said Lufthansa, adding:” once the Indian authorities agree to talks with the German government to establish a temporary travel agreement, Lufthansa is ready to continue serving the Indian people in these unprecedented times as it has done for decades: offering safe travel to and from Germany and other countries around the world.
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