Virgin Atlantic is set to return to India by September, with flights to Delhi and Mumbai. As part of the Indian government’s Vande Bharat Mission phase five, the country has set up a number of bilateral air bubble agreements with several countries.
Under this new agreement, Virgin Atlantic will operate three flights a week between Delhi and London Heathrow, commencing on September 2nd. The airline will also operate four weekly flights between London and Mumbai from September 17th. Both flights will connect to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and the flight will be operated with a 787-9 Dreamliner. Virgin Atlantic announced this week.
Due to current changes to operations at London Heathrow, Virgin Atlantic is temporarily operating from Terminal two.
Virgin Atlantic isn’t the only airline to announce flights to the UK. British Airways announced last week that it will be resuming relief flights to and from India from Augst 17th. The Indian carrier SpiceJet has also secured temporary slots under the air bubble pact and will operate flights to the UK from September.
After almost four months of limited international flights, India began to reopen its borders to select countries. So far, India has set up bilateral arrangements, or air bubbles, with seven countries; Canada, France, Germany, Maldives, UAE, UK, and the US.
While these air bubbles will allow travel between these countries to resume, there are some restrictions still in place. Entry into India is still restricted, and only Indian Nationals, Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) cardholders, and those with certain essential visas are allowed to enter the country.
For those wanting to leave India, there are fewer restrictions in place. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation has confirmed that travelers holding all types of valid visas for Canada, UAE, UK, and the US are allowed to travel. This includes tourist, business, student, and transit visas.
Source: simplefying.com