NEW DELHI: Travel between India and over two dozen countries could soon be possible as more ‘air bubbles’ are being created as an interim measure to ensure connectivity till regular flights resume.
Aviation minister H S Puri on Tuesday said on social media that negotiations for air bubbles are on with 13 countries — Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Kenya, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand. Air bubbles have also been proposed with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Nepal and Bhutan, he added. So far, air travel arrangements are in place with USA, UK, France, Germany, UAE, Qatar and Maldives.
India is also planning to have Covid testing labs at some key airports so passengers found free from the virus can be exempted from quarantine (as per the rules at the point of entry). A start is likely to be made with Delhi, followed by Mumbai, and subsequently other places. “We are considering setting up Covid testing facilities at some of our AAI and JV airports. Several options are being explored,” an Airports Authority of India spokesperson said. Flyers are required to carry a recent Covid-negative test report for being accepted on flights to some countries. Others require this test report as a precondition to allow people to fly out.
With Covid testing requirement likely to stay for some time for both arriving and departing passengers, airports in places like Frankfurt, Munich and London Heathrow have set up Covid testing facilities. India is further streamlining travel processes by planning to do the same as international travel is all set to increase under the air bubbles.
