Bilateral air bubble to let airlines fly passengers between India and Qatar

Tribune News NetworkDohaIndia and Qatar have finalised a bilateral "air bubble" agreement that allows airlines to fly passengers between the two countries from August 18 to 31. As per the air corridor agreement, both Indian and Qatar carriers will be permitted to operate flights between India and Qatar during this period.Only the following categories of persons will be permitted on such flights:A. From India to Qatar- Qatari Nationals- Any Indian national holding any type of valid Qatar visa and destined for Qatar only. It would be for the airlines concerned to ensure that there is no travel restriction for Indian nationals to enter Qatar with the particular visa category before the issue of ticket/ boarding pass to the Indian passenger.B. From Qatar to India- Indian nationals stranded in Qatar.- All Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholders holding Qatari passports. and iii. Qatari nationals (including diplomats) holding a valid Visa issued by an Indian Mission in any category covered under Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) guidelines dated 30.06.2020.In a letter dated August 14, Indian aviation ministry said that its “Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) may clear the flights of Qatar Airways and Indian carriers on a weekly basis in an equitable manner (based on a comparable number of seats) provided they submit clearances from the concerned State Government and the Indian Mission in Qatar along with the application for the flights.”“The Civil Aviation Authority of Qatar vide letter dated 13/8/2020 has conveyed acceptance of the agreement from 18-31 August 2020 as proposed in our letter dated 13/08/2020,” Indian Civil Aviation Ministry said in the letter.The designated airlines of both sides will be permitted to sell tickets between India and Qatar in each direction through their websites. sales agents and Global Distribution Systems.Before making any reservations in the flights being operated under the above arrangements, the passengers must confirm that they would be allowed entry into the destination country.