Air bubble service begins between India and Bangladesh

Air connectivity between Bangladesh and India resumed on Wednesday with two flights departing from Kaka under an air-bubble arrangement between the two countries.

The service was inaugurated at Hazrat Shahjalal Airport in Bangladesh by Vikram Doraiswamy, Commissioner of India in Bangladesh and Air Vice Marshal Mafidur Rehman, Chairman, Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

The first two flights operated by US Bangla Airlines departed from Bangladesh on Wednesday morning for Kolkata and Chennai. The launch of the flights has been a great relief to the people traveling between the two countries. It is especially welcomed by people in need of emergency medical care in India.

Thanking the Ministry of Civil Aviation for launching the air bubble service, High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswamy said it would be especially useful for those with medical needs. He said these services would help strengthen the people to connect with the people between the two countries.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Ministry of External Affairs announced that three Bangladeshi airlines – Beamon Bangladesh, US-Bangla Airlines and Novo Air would initially operate 28 flights a week to India. Five Indian carriers, including Air India, Vistara, Indigo, SpiceJet and GoAir, also operate 28 flights a week between the two countries.

Bangladeshi airlines operate flights from Koka to Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, while Indian carriers operate flights from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai to Bangladesh.

Flights between the two countries resumed almost eight months later. Travel between India and Bangladesh was disrupted as the corona epidemic spread.