According to a senior official, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has removed the restrictions on flights that can be operated between India and Ukraine under the bilateral air bubble agreement to make travel easier for Indians from the regions.
India has recommended its people to temporarily leave Ukraine due to the current circumstances in the country as a result of rising tensions with Russia. Under the air bubble agreement, the civil aviation ministry has lifted limits on the number of flights and seats between India and Ukraine. According to an official, any number of flights can be operated between the two countries, including chartered planes.
Due to the increased demand, Indian carriers have been urged to consider increasing flights to Ukraine, according to an official. The official added that the civil aviation ministry is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on the flying services.
The Indian embassy in Kyiv announced that more flights would be added soon to satisfy the increased demand. “Several requests about non-availability of flights from Ukraine to India have been received by the Indian embassy. Students are recommended not to worry in this situation, but to book the earliest available and convenient flights to India,” the embassy said in a statement released.
Ukrainian International Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and Fly Dubai are currently operating flights from Ukraine. “More flights, including Ukrainian International Airlines, Air India, and others, are being scheduled soon to fulfil the increased demand. The embassy will provide more information as it becomes available,” it stated.
The embassy recommended Indian people, particularly students, to temporarily leave the country due to the current situation’s uncertainties. Under an air bubble agreement between two governments, their respective carriers can operate international passenger flights into each other’s territories under some restrictions. India currently has air bubble agreements in place with 35 countries.
Go First Considers Operating Chartered Passenger Flights to Ukraine
Meanwhile, the low-cost carrier Go First will consider flying chartered passenger flights to Ukraine if the government makes a proposal, according to a report by ET. “We will look at it (mounting passenger flights to Ukraine). If there is a requirement, we will evaluate,” ET quoted a senior Go First official.
