Flights to US, France set to resume this month on interim basis

Indian Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday said that in the wake of heavy traffic between India and U.S, the ministry has been considering the resumption of international service to U.S on interim basis, provided there should be consensus between countries to accept and receive the passengers.

‘Till international civil aviation can reclaim its pre-COVID numbers, I think answer will lie through bilateral air bubbles, which will carry a possible number of people but under defined conditions as countries are still imposing entry restrictions including India,’ Hardeep Singh Puri said in a press briefing today.

The aviation minister also said at recommencement  of international flights with at least three more countries amid this bilateral situation. The flights may resume from tomorrow.

‘We are at a very advanced stage between with three countries and it is a work-in-progress. For example, Air France will be operating 28 flights between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Paris from 18 July to 1 August while US will be flying 18 flights between July 17-31, but this is an interim one. We have request from German carriers to permit flights to India and we are processing it,’ Puri said.

Earlier U.S had restricted the services made by Air India under Vande Bharat mission citing “unfair and discriminatory practices”. According to U.S officials, the government of India has been engaging in “unfair and discriminatory practices” on charter air transportation services to and from India.

The U.S officials has also instructed the Indian National career Air India to obtain a prior approval for conducting charter flights services.

After the announcement it was reported that the talks between India and the United States (US) were going on to develop a travel corridor which would significantly lessen travel restrictions between the two countries. This would be the first green corridor India would set up with any country. The U.S had similar initiatives with select European countries.

It is also reported that the government of India was likely to create similar travel bubble with European countries like U.K,France,Germany etc.