India asks European Airlines to stop flying people between India and North America under air bubble agreement
The Indian Aviation authorities have made it clear that airline passengers would not be allowed to take connecting flights to a third country after reaching the hub in a second country under air bubble agreement. The authorities have urged European airlines to stop flying people between India and North America as they are operating under air bubbles that allow eligible categories of passengers to travel between India and the country with which the same has been formed, the Times of India reports.
Sixth freedom — flying an airline from one country to its hub in a second country and then taking a connecting flight on it to a third country from that hub — is not allowed under air bubbles. In the case of air bubbles India has created with Germany and France, eligible categories of Indian and foreign travelers can fly Lufthansa and Air France, respectively, if they are destined for the European Union (EU), the report added.
“Both these airlines have been asked to stop flying people between India and North America in a meeting held last week,” reports the Times Of India quoting a senior aviation ministry official. According to the report he also said airlines of all travel bubble countries were asked to comply with the rules of travel under this special arrangement that is in place till schedule flights resume. This essentially allows eligible categories of Indians and foreigners to travel between India and those countries. India currently has transport bubbles with USA, UK, Canada, Qatar, France, Germany, Afghanistan, Maldives and the UAE. Many more countries will soon have these special arrangement with India. Anyone travelling under the bubble arrangement from India is not supposed to take a connecting flight to a third country after reaching, say Dubai, Doha or Abu Dhabi — a common practice in normal travel times
“This interim arrangement has been created to ensure travel continues till schedule flights resume. All airlines have to follow the rules. If some airline needs to fly someone due to a special reason or emergency and the same is not allowed by the rules, we can provide a dispensation on humanitarian grounds,” said a senior ministry official as reported by the Times of India.
The air transport bubble rules for travel from India to Germany and France on Lufthansa and Air France, respectively, are: “Indian nationals who are permitted to travel abroad as per (home ministry rules) and destined for EU; Stranded EU nationals/residents, foreign nationals destined for Europe and transiting through France or spouses of these persons, whether accompanying or otherwise; and seamen of foreign nationalities. Seamen holding Indian passports would be allowed subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.”
The rules for travel from India to Germany and France on Lufthansa and Air France are: “Stranded Indian nationals; Foreigners (including diplomats and overseas citizens of India card holders), who are eligible to enter India as per home ministry guidelines as amended from time to time,” the report added..
