National air carrier Air India has started operating direct flights from Goa to London on a weekly basis under an air bubble agreement. The service will turn bi-weekly from November. After commercial international travel resumed in July, air bubbles have been the only way to allow travel between two nations amidst the global outbreak of the coronavirus panemic. Also known as air bridge, an air bubble is basically an air travel corridor between such countries who agree on opening their international borders.
Goa International Airport took to its Twitter handle to announce the move. "Important day for Goa Intn'l Airport. Today Air India starts its direct flight LHR-GOI-LHR, B787.Initially once a week then twice a week from November under Air Bubble. Goa connects to London directly now," it tweeted.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has entered into several air bubble agreements with various countries even when normal international flights remain suspended due to the pandemic.
Since July, India has established bilateral air bubble agreements with 17 countries, including the UK, USA, Germany, France and others. In an air bubble agreement, airlines of both the countries can operate special passenger flights to each other's territories under certain restrictions.
Other than Air India, Vistara too have been operating flights from Delhi to London under the air bubble pact. The airline has decided to increase the frequency of flights from November 21. The airline was operating four flights a week on its Delhi-London route which will be increased to five flights a week. Vistara's daily service is scheduled to resume from December.