In a historic move, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed an “air bubble” agreement amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement will allow the two nations to operate special international flights, facilitating the travel of their citizens, expatriates, and essential workers between the two countries.

The air bubble agreement between India and the UAE comes as a relief for many individuals who have been stuck in different parts of the world due to travel restrictions. Under the agreement, airlines from the two countries can operate flights to and from India and the UAE with certain restrictions and regulations in place.

The air bubbles are essentially temporary arrangements between two countries that allow airlines to operate international flights with a limited number of passengers. These arrangements are put in place when regular commercial flights are not possible due to the pandemic.

The India-UAE air bubble agreement will come into effect from July 12, 2021, and will remain in place until further notice. The agreement specifies that only Indian nationals or residents who have stayed in India for 14 days before the travel date will be allowed to board flights to the UAE. Similarly, only UAE nationals or residents with a valid visa will be allowed to travel to India.

Additionally, passengers traveling under the air bubble agreement will be required to submit a negative RT-PCR test report taken within 48 hours of the travel date. They will also have to undergo a rapid PCR test at the airport before departure.

Despite the restrictions and regulations, the air bubble agreement between India and the UAE is a significant step towards normalizing travel between the two countries. It will allow people who have been separated from their families and loved ones to reunite after a long time. It will also benefit businesses and industries that depend on international travel and trade between the two nations.

In conclusion, the air bubble agreement between India and the UAE is a welcome move that will benefit many people. The two nations have demonstrated their commitment to maintaining strong ties and mutual cooperation during these challenging times. As the pandemic continues to affect the world, such arrangements will be crucial in restoring international travel and trade in a safe and controlled manner.