India Signs Air Bubble Agreement With Oman

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, India on Thursday signs a new bilateral air bubble agreement with Oman to help stranded Indians. The agreement with Oman will be effective from October 1, 2020 till November 30, 2020.

As per the air bubble agreement, airlines from both countries can operate international flights between each other with certain restrictions and regulations.

“Further widening the scope of international air connectivity. Happy to announce that bilateral air bubble arrangement is now in place for flights between India & Oman, taking the number of such arrangements to 16. Carriers of India & Oman will operate between the two countries.” Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri Twitted.

Further widening the scope of international air connectivity.

Happy to announce that bilateral air bubble arrangement is now in place for flights between India & Oman, taking the number of such arrangements to 16.

Carriers of India & Oman will operate between the two countries.

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— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) October 1, 2020

The designated carriers of both the countries are now permitted to operate services between India and Oman with the following conditions: Both Indian and Omani airlines operating inbound flights into India can carry the following passengers:

From India to Oman

• Nationals/residents of Oman;

• Any Indian national holding valid residency permit of Oman and destined for Oman only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure the Indian nationals are eligible to enter Oman before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.

From Oman to India:

• Indian nationals stranded in Oman;

• All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding passports of Oman;

• Nationals of Oman (including diplomats) holding valid visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020 as amended from time to time.

India has the same air bubble arrangements in place with the 15 more countries which includes United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bhutan, Kenya, Canada, Iraq, Japan, Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, and UAE.

What is a bilateral air bubble?

“Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements” are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are reciprocal in nature, meaning airlines from both countries enjoy similar benefits.

Also Read: Scheduled International Flights Remain Suspended Till 31 October