New Delhi (NVI): An Air India flight, carrying 142 passengers, departed from Bahrain to Chennai today, under Vande Bharat Mission, the Indian Embassy in Bahrain said. The special flight was organised under the air bubble arrangement between the two countries.
The passengers also included four infants. “Air India Flight AI 1986 from Bahrain to Chennai departed today from Bahrain International Airport with 142 passengers including 4 infants onboard. Wishing safe journey to all the passengers,” the Indian embassy tweeted.
#VandeBharatMission Air India Flight AI 1986 from Bahrain to Chennai departed today from Bahrain International Airport with 142 passengers including 4 infants onboard. Wishing safe journey to all the passengers. #AirBubbleIndiaBahrain pic.twitter.com/tXBlVzoHjQ
— India in Bahrain (@IndiaInBahrain) November 29, 2020
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has entered into air bubble arrangements with multiple countries. However, India has extended the ban on international flights till December 31, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Only a few special flights are allowed, such as under the air bubble arrangement.
The Vande Bharat mission started in may to evacuate Indians stranded abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic. The eighth phase of the mission was initiated earlier this month.
Any person who wants to travel to a foreign country will have to depend on air bubble arrangements. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines.
India has air bubble pacts with around 22 countries as of now. These are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Tanzania, the UAE, the UK, Ukraine and the US.
-ARK
