Even as international flight operations continue to remain suspended in India till September 30, Civil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has announced that air bubbles have been established with 13 countries: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, UAE, UK and the US.
Save upto Rs.1500 on your flight booking with coupon code INSTANT:
Book Cheapest FlightsThe minister also announced that the Aviation Ministry is in talks to finalize air bubbles with other countries as well on his Twitter handle:
Air Bubbles are in place with 13 countries.
Others are being finalised.
In addition to existing countries, people can also fly between India & Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Maldives, Nigeria & Qatar.
Carriers of India & these countries will operate.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) September 18, 2020
What are air bubbles?
Air bubbles or air travel corridors are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services since regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Air bubbles allow airlines of both the countries to fly passengers between them based on certain eligibility criteria.
Here are the details of the eligibility criteria passengers require in order to travel to the 13 air bubble countries from India:
1. Afghanistan
- Afghanistan nationals and foreign nationals holding valid Afghanistan visas.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa for Afghanistan and destined for Afghanistan only.
2.Bahrain
- Bahraini nationals.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from the Kingdom of Bahrain and destined for Bahrain only.
3.Canada
- Stranded Canadian nationals and foreigners with valid Canadian visas.
- Indian nationals with valid visas eligible to enter Canada.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities and seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
4.France
- Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines and destined for European Union (EU).
- Stranded EU nationals, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities and seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
5.Germany
- Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per MHA guidelines and destined for EU.
- Stranded EU nationals, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through Germany or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities and seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
6.Iraq
- Residents of Iraq.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Iraq and destined for Iraq only.
7.Japan
- Stranded residents of Japan and foreign nationals holding valid Japanese visas subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the Government of Japan at the time of travel.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid visa from Japan subject to the border measures and travel restrictions imposed by the Government of Japan at the time of travel.
8.Maldives
- Maldivian nationals and foreign nationals holding valid Maldivian visas.
- Any Indian national.
9.Nigeria
- Stranded Nigerian nationals, foreign nationals destined for Africa and transiting through Nigeria or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid Nigerian visa and destined for any country in Africa.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities and seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
10.Qatar
- Residents of Qatar.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid Qatar visa and destined for Qatar only.
11.United Arab Emirates (UAE)
- UAE nationals.
- ICA-approved UAE residents destined for the UAE only.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid UAE visa and destined for the UAE only.
12.United Kingdom (UK)
- Stranded UK nationals and foreign nationals transiting through the UK or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid UK visa and destined for the UK only.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities and seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
13.United States of America (USA)
- US citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign nationals holding valid US visas.
- Any Indian national holding any type of valid US visa.
- Seamen of foreign nationalities and seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
Note: Along with this eligibility criteria, many of the countries mentioned above also require incoming passengers to undergo COVID tests on arrival or download official apps on their mobile phones. Click here to check all these additional requirements.
We hope that these guidelines will help you plan your journey conveniently!
Top Searched Flight Routes
Raipur To Delhi Flights | Bangalore To Ranchi Flights | Pune To Kolkata Flights | Delhi To Baghdogra Flights | Srinagar To Delhi Flights | Lucknow To Mumbai Flights | Bangalore To Guwahati Flights | Guwahati To Delhi Flights | Goa To Delhi Flights | Bangalore To Pune Flights | Patna To Bangalore Flights | Mumbai To Ranchi Flights | Delhi To Jaipur Flights | Hyderabad To Kolkata Flights | Bangalore To Ahmedabad Flights | Chennai To Goa Flights | Varanasi To Delhi Flights | Ranchi To Mumbai Flights | Delhi To Raipur Flights | Kolkata To Chennai Flights
