Doha: India and Qatar have reached an air bubble agreement to operate special flight services amid the COVID-19.
As per the deal, Qatar Airways and Indian airlines will be allowed to take passengers from both countries. With this, many Indians who are working in Qatar will be able to fly back to Qatar.
Air bubbles are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended, in this case due to COVID-19.
The air bubble deal between both countries will come into force from August 18, Tuesday. Indian Civil Aviation General Directorate issued an order regarding this on August 15. As per the deal, India and Qatar will operate special services from August 18 to 31.
According to the order, DGCA will clear the flights of Qatar Airways and Indian airlines on a weekly basis with the same number of seats. Services will be operated from Indian airports as per the permission from each state government.
Qatar citizens and Indians with Qatar visa will be allowed to travel on flights from India.
At the same time, Indian expats who want to fly back to India are obliged to meet the conditions like Qatar Portal Registration and Quarantine Booking.
Qatar authority had granted permission for expats to enter the country from August 1. But over thousands of Indian expats including Keralites failed to return to Qatar as flight services were terminated.
Earlier, Qatar had banned flights from India due to the growing concern over the pandemic. But with the air bubble deal, the air crisis between both countries is resolved now.
Booking for the flights will be carried out under respective airlines and recognized travel agencies. Qatar Airways will publish the details of the flights on their official website soon.
