As of 10 December 2021, India has signed bilateral air travel agreements with 33 countries, including Australia, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
India has also extended the ban on commercial international passenger flights till 31 January 2022 due to rising concerns over the Omicron coronavirus variant. However, travel bubble pacts allow international flights to operate on some routes.
The agreement between India and Australia was announced last week, just before Australia reopens its borders on Wednesday to eligible visa holders, including 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
Currently, Qantas and Air India operate direct flights between Sydney and New Delhi. By the end of this month, the two airlines are also expected to start non-stop flights between Melbourne and New Delhi.
The Indian High Commission confirmed the details with SBS Hindi.
Elaborating on the deal, the website states that all Indian, Nepalese or Bhutanese nationals, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders, and Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders holding passports of any country would be allowed to travel into India.
Qantas is running direct flights between Sydney and New Delhi. Source: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
In addition, all foreign nationals holding a valid Indian visa as per extant guidelines would also be permitted to travel into India.
Conversely, Australian nationals or residents and foreign nationals with a valid visa would be allowed to enter Australia and New Zealand.
Under the arrangement, seamen of foreign nationalities and those holding Indian passports would also be allowed to enter Australia, subject to clearance from the Ministry of Shipping.
Thailand, Malaysia, and China are not included in India's list of countries with which it has a travel bubble agreement.
The decision to create a bubble with Australia has been hailed by Lisa Singh, who is CEO of Australia India Institute, a Melbourne-based think tank.
"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.
"It seems that the worst is over. 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.
Ravi Lochan Singh, a Sydney based education expert. Source: Supplied by Ravi Lochan Singh
Welcoming the move, Queensland-based Indian Australian Marine Pilot Ritesh Bhamaria said that the announcement was an essential step.
"Now Indian seamen will be able to go home to their waiting families and children in time and their relievers will be able to join back in time without incurring a loss of earnings. It's a great step forward and the whole seafaring community is grateful to both the governments," he said.
Last month, the federal government paused its plan to reopen borders for eligible visa holders including international students and skilled migrants for two weeks because of concerns about the latest Omicron variant.
Queensland based Marine Pilot Captain Ritesh Bhamaria. Source: Supplied by Ritesh Bhamaria
However, on Monday, Health Minister Greg Hunt confirmed that Australia was on track to reopen on 15 December.
“That reopening is scheduled - will be going ahead in consultation with the prime minister, the National Cabinet discussion, and the advice from the chief medical officer,” he said.
