Bangladesh is all set to resume flights to India from October 28 under ‘air bubble’ arrangement, nearly eight months after communications were suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Under a bilateral air bubble pact, airlines of both the countries can operate international flights with certain restrictions. The decision to resume flights to India was made at an inter-ministerial meeting at the civil aviation and tourism ministry on Friday
(16 October 2020).
Three Bangladeshi carriers – Biman Bangladeshi Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines and Novo Air would initially operate 28 flights a week, while five Indian airlines – Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara and GoAir would operate 28 flights a week between the two countries.
Of the three Bangladeshi carriers, Biman is scheduled to operate flights on Dhaka-Delhi and Dhaka-Kolkata routes, US-Bangla Airlines on Dhaka-Chennai and Novo Air on Dhaka-Kolkata route. The five Indian airlines are expected to operate flights on Dhaka-Delhi, Dhaka-Kolkata, Dhaka-Chennai and Dhaka-Mumbai routes.
COVID-19 Testing
There is no transit facility for the passengers to fly to a third country. The passengers would have to undergo COVID-19 testing before flying. On October 9, the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh announced resumption of online visa application services for Bangladeshi citizens. For now, visas will be provided in nine categories, including medical, business, employment, journalists and diplomats.
