India has recently signed an air bubble flight agreement with Saudi Arabia, which will now allow travellers to fly between both nations.
Air travel bubbles are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia tweeted, “Embassy is pleased to announce the air bubble arrangement between India and Saudi Arabia with effect from January 1, 2022.”
Now with this initiative, India has an air bubble agreement with 34 countries.
India’s scheduled international passenger flight operations remained suspended till January 31 amid rising COVID cases.
Earlier this month, the Parliament was apprised of a proposal from 10 countries to sign the air bubble agreement, out of which announcements have been made for Australia and Saudi Arabia now. The major nations to follow the suit are Thailand and New Zealand.
Recently, as a major relief to international passengers from India, Saudi Arabia has recognised Covaxin as an approved COVID-19 vaccine for travel. In November 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had granted emergency use approval to the indigenously made vaccine by Bharat Biotech, india.com reported.