An air bubble between India and Canada will become operational on August 15, with national flights of both countries aiming to restore passenger services to pre-outbreak level. Also, people holding any kind of valid visa under the ‘air bubble’ agreement can travel to the United Kingdom, the United States and United Arab Emirates, said the Director-General of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India.

Air bubble agreement is a bilateral agreement between two countries in which airlines from both countries can operate international flights with a set of rules and restrictions. A statement issued by the DGCA India stated that “under bubble agreement any Indian holding any kind of valid visa can travel to Canada, UK, US and UAE.”

Air bubbles mention bilateral agreements India has done with or is in the process of finalising with certain nations to allow their flights to ferry passengers back and forth from India. This is besides the Indian operators.

No, ‘air bubbles’ don’t mean the recommencement of international passenger flight operations. These are still repatriation flights, where nations have decided to allow each other’s flights to fly in and out of their respective nations with certain conditions.

So before you go to book yourself on any of these flights, make sure that the nation permit your entry. Most nations still prohibit the entry of tourists.

Recently, Minister of Civil Aviation, Hardeep Puri confirmed that more such air bubbles with other countries are on the way. He said that till international civil aviation reclaim its pre-COVID numbers and normalize globally, India will rely on air bubbles for transporting international passengers. India, however, has not allowed entry of all visa holders into the country except for those holding essential visa that is approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs.