AIR BUBBLE ARRANGEMENT

Subject : International Relations

Context : Centre to expand air bubble pact with more countries.

Concept :

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday told the Rajya Sabha that the government wanted to expand the “air bubble” arrangement with more countries,
The priority would be Saudi Arabia, Kuwait in the west and Japan, China and Singapore in the east.
Under the air bubble scheme, commercial airlines from specific countries are allowed to travel to and from India on a limited basis.
This arrangement was solely reserved for the Air India under the Vande Bharat mission — as full-scale international commercial air operations are yet to resume after the COVID-19 restrictions were implemented last year.
The Minister made these remarks while informing both Houses of Parliament about the government’s efforts in repatriating Indians, Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) during the pandemic.