Manama: Oman and India agreed to fly 10,000 passengers per week between the two countries under the Air Bubble Agreement, according to Oman’s Civil Aviation Authority.
The air bubble will permit passengers with valid visas from both sides to travel freely. In addition, airlines will be allowed to serve 11 Indian cities on an average of two flights a week per airline, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said in a statement.
The temporary arrangements were made possible through diplomatic channels and is subject to strict compliance of COVID-19 procedures put in place by both sides.
All incoming passengers are required to undergo PCR test to rule out coronavirus upon their arrival at the airport. They will receive the certificate of their PCR test for the Covid-19 virus, approved by the Ministry of Health, at the same drive-through location at Muscat International Airport parking for RO5.
The agreement will be effective from October 1 till November 30. The designated carriers of both countries are now permitted to operate services between India and Oman with the following conditions:
These airlines are permitted with no more than 10,000 passengers a week from either sector, CAA said.
Flights from Oman to India will be used mainly to repatriate stranded Indians. Also, all Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Omani passports, and Omani nationals holding valid visa issued by an Indian mission will be allowed to travel.
While operating outbound flights from India, both Indian and Omani airlines can carry nationals/residents of Oman, any Indian national holding a valid residency permit of Oman, and destined for Oman only.
Earlier, India extended the ban on normal international passenger flights till October 31 in wake of a spike in coronavirus cases. It is the duty of the airline's staff to ensure the eligibility of the passengers to enter Oman and this must be ensured before the passenger is issued a ticket or boarding pass.
Commercial international flights to and from India have not resumed yet. Rather, only under air bubble agreements, relevant countries are able to operate flights.
