United Airlines (UA, Chicago O'Hare) and Air France (AF, Paris CDG) have resumed limited international operations to India after the New Delhi government signed bilateral "air bubble' agreements with the US and France, as well as with Germany, Live Mint has reported.
"Air bubble arrangements with US, UAE, France, and Germany are being put in place while similar arrangements are also being worked out with several other countries," Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted.
The agreement with the UAE has been in place since early July, allowing Indian with permanent residency in the UAE to travel back to the country. Citizens of India were also allowed to return to their home country with these flights.
Under the temporary schedule, United Airlines plans to fly from New York Newark and San Francisco to Mumbai International, while Air France will be connecting Paris CDG with Mumbai, Delhi International, and Bengaluru International. The schedules are only valid through the end of July for the time being.
Hardeep Singh Puri underlined that Lufthansa (LH, Frankfurt International) is interested in launching flights from Germany.
Air India (AI, Delhi International) will also continue to operate charter flights to the United States, France, and Germany under the terms of the "air bubble" agreements. Particularly in the case of the US, India drew the ire of the Department of Transportation after allegedly abusing the concept of repatriation flights to also carry revenue passengers onboard Air India's flights to the US, while at the same time banning American carriers from serving India.
Hardeep Singh Puri added that India is in advanced talks about a similar agreement with the United Kingdom, which would allow the resumption of limited traffic to London.
All of the international flights to and from India remain restricted in terms of availability to Indian citizens and a limited pool of foreigners.
