VBM: Air India Opens Bookings For 180 US Flights

National carrier Air India has opened bookings for international flights to the US starting July 22. Under the fourth phase of Vande Bharat Mission, the state-run airline has announced 180 flights. Customers can book tickets from Air India official website, booking offices, or authorized travel agents.

Air India tweeted, “180 flights between India and USA under Vande Bharat Mission are scheduled. Tickets can be booked through the Air India website, booking offices and authorized travel agents.”

The 180 flights are scheduled from July 22 to August 21, 2020. People will be able to fly to and from five destinations of the USA having a connection to and from Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad.

Also Read: Air India To Operate Additional Flights To London From 26-30 July

It is worth noting that last month, the US Department of Transportation (DoT) had said that it might restrict charter flights from India. The department also accused New Delhi of engaging in “discriminatory and restrictive practices”.

Following the announcement, the Civil Aviation Ministry stated that it’s received requests from several countries, including the US, France, and Germany for allowing their airlines to participate within the transportation of passengers along the line being conducted by Air India under the Vande Bharat Mission which the Ministry was examining the requests.

Under the Vande Bharat Mission, Air India alongside several other domestic private carriers is allowed to operate flights. The ticket prices are pre-fixed ticket charges under this mission and therefore the fourth phase began on July 3 to bring back Indians stranded abroad amid the pandemic.

With a limited demand, Air India recently proposed a 60 percent pay cut for pilots amid the coronavirus pandemic which has infected 55 of its cockpit crew members. While scheduled international flights are suspended within the country because of Coronavirus since March 23.

Air India has been operating international repatriation flights all around the world under Vande Bharat Mission. Moreover, since scheduled domestic passenger flight operations resumed on May 25, the airline has been operating services domestically too.

Additionally, Air India will operate additional flights between India and London from 26th July to 30th July 2020, to connect Mumbai, Delhi, Kochi, and Amritsar with London. The sale of tickets will start at 6:00 pm today through their website, booking offices, and authorized travel agents.

Also Read: Air India Opens Vande Bharat Mission Bookings For Travel Agents