India Starts Flights to USA France
The Indian government has set up "Air Bubbles" with France and the US to resume international commercial flights from 24th July.
India had suspended international flights from 23rd March and domestic flights from 25th March because of the coronavirus pandemic. Two months later the government resumed the domestic flights from 25th May. On Thursday 16th July 2020, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in a press conference announced that it has set up "air bubbles" with France and the US to resume international commercial flights from 24th July. Air bubbles means an exclusive flight travel agreement between two countries. Here India has made an agreement with USA and France to allow flights from these countries in India and Indian flights can go to these countries. He added that in this pandemic, air bubbles are the only way for resuming international air travel.
Mr. Puri said, "Till international civil aviation can reclaim its pre-COVID numbers, I think bilateral air bubbles are better. It will carry a possible number of people but under defined conditions. Countries still have entry restrictions including India." From India, the government owned Air India will operate international flights to the US and France under the bilateral air bubbles. As per the agreements, Air France will operate 28 flights from 18th July to 1st August between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Paris. American Airlines, United Airlines will operate 18 flights between India and the US from 17th July to 31st July. India is in talks to set up similar arrangements with the United Kingdom to operate two flights in a day between Delhi and London. Puri also said that India has received a request from Germany.
