India and Australia have set an air travel bubble that allows eligible passengers between two nations. On December 10, 2021, India has signed this bilateral agreement with 33 countries along with Australia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
India also extended the ban on commercial international passenger flights on January 31, 2022, because of rising concerns regarding the new variant of coronavirus ‘Omicron.’ But the travel bubble pacts international flights to operate on few routes.
This travel agreement between India and Australia was announced in the second week of December. That was just before Australia has reopened its borders on December 8, 2021. The eligible candidates include visa holders and international students.
Highlights:
· India, Australia sign air travel bubble pact
· Indian and Australian carriers may carry eligible passengers on their flights operating between the two countries
· India has extended the suspension of regular international passenger flights till 31 January 2022
Qantas and Air India operated direct flights from New Delhi, India to Sydney, Australia. These two will also operate non-stop flights between New Delhi and Melbourne by the end of December.
Indian Civil Aviation Ministry
Extending the details given by the Indian Civil Aviation Ministry, allows individuals holding the following ones:
- Indian nationals
- Nepalese or Bhutanese nationals
- Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders
- Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders
All the candidates holding passports of any country are allowed to travel into India.
Additionally, foreign nationals holding a valid Indian visa are also permitted to India, according to extant guidelines. In contrast, Australian citizens or residents and other foreign nationals with valid visa are allowed to enter Australia and New Zealand.
Countries that are not allowed to travel
India did not allow Thailand, Malaysia, and China in this travel bubble agreement.
| “The air bubble pact will allow students to return without needing to apply for a travel exemption,” Singh told SBS Hindi. Echoing similar sentiments, Sydney-based education expert Ravi Lochan Singh called it a “rebound” of the relationship between the two nations. The agreement was part of the missing link that’s now in place. The direct flights (Air India and Qantas) will help with the return of students from India, Nepal and Bhutan,” he pointed out. |
In November, the federal government has paused its decision to reopen its borders because of the advent of a new variant Omicron. However, Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed that the country opens its borders on 15 December.
