After a long waiting, India has announced the ‘air bubble’ flight travel sorting with Oman starting from October 1st until November 30.
As per the agreement nominated carriers of India and Omanboth are now permitted to operate services between the countries.
What is an air bubble?
In order to reduce a host of quarantine and Covid-10 testing rules in arrival destinations, governments are executing “air bubble” agreements between countries. Air bubbles or travel corridors are systems accepted between two countries that recognize each other to be safe and allow carriers of both the countries to fly passengers either way without any restrictions.
It is different from repatriation flights, which are only one way and the passengers have to register themselves with the embassy to board such flights. However, for air bubble travel there are no such strategy required.
Who are allowed to travel?
A. Flights from Oman to India
Both Indian and Omani airlines while operating inbound flights into India can transfer the following passengers:
a) Indian nationals stuck in Oman;
b) All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders belonging passports of Oman; and
c) 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 revised from time to time.
B. Flights from India to Oman
While operating outbound flights from India, both Indian and Omani airlines can carry the following passengers:
a) Nationals/residents of Oman;
b) Any Indian national holding valid residency permit of Oman and ordained for Oman only. It would be for the airlines bothered to ensure the Indian nationals are eligible to enter Oman before issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.
The operations will be subject to strict attachment to the SOP issued by the civil aviation authorities and other COVID19 related guidelines issued by the authorities of both sides.
Tickets for the flights can be sold through the airlines’ website or through Ahlan Arabia Tours and Travels or the Global Distribution Systems.
