Emirates has suspended passenger flights from India until May 31, 2021. UAE nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with the revised published COVID-19 protocols will be exempt for travel. Those with cancelled bookings can retain their ticket for a future flight or rebook their flight for another date.

Tourism Minister PS Patel has said that the focus of the Ministry of Tourism post-COVID will be on promoting offbeat destinations and activities such as eco-tourism, wellness retreats and mountaineering, among others. He also added, “India would like to offer to the world, post COVID-19, calm, peace and health through yoga, Ayurveda and other forms of traditional treatments and spiritual surroundings.”

Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO, Qatar Airways, has said that while they are keen to pick up stake in Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo, which he regards as the country’s largest and most efficient airline, the present may not be the right time for it. The Group CEO says that India continues to be a strategically important market for Qatar Airways.

Indian nationals in transit through a French airport on their way to another country will require an airport transit visa (ATV). The categories exempt from the ATV include families of EU or Swiss nationals; Indian official passport holders; Schengen visa holders; and holders of permanent residence permits from EU countries, the UK, Japan, Canada and USA.

Recovery in domestic and international travel has been delayed by three and six months, respectively, due to COVID resurgence, says India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra). Besides, 2021 has brought three new challenges such as higher fuel expenses, rising competition intensity, and likely pressure on airline yields as the scramble for market share realignment to pre-COVID period begins.

Under the current Presidential Proclamation, student visa holders from India are able to enter the United States if their classes start on or after August 1, 2021. The United States, however, will not approve exceptions for F visa holders with a programme start date before August 1, 2021. Students with valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic programme commencing August 1 this year or later do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual National Interest Exception to travel.

With effect from April 21, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will be conducting all international as well as domestic flight operations through its Terminal 2. All passengers of GoAir, Star Air, Air Asia, TruJet and IndiGo are requested to get in touch with the respective airlines for further queries.

Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) Airport Leh has announced that it is offering free-of-cost COVID-19 test facilities for both RAPID testing as well as RT-PCR testing for incoming passengers. The airport authorities, however, do advise passengers to carry their RT-PCR test reports not older than 96 hours to avoid testing at the airport.

DidaTravel has announced that it has raised “hundreds of millions of yuan” in its Series B financing round that had Alibaba as the lead investor. Rikin Wu, Founder and CEO of DidaTravel, says that the proceeds will be dedicated to the company’s continuous expansion and development in the days to come.

GMR’s Delhi and Hyderabad airports have opted for the HOI App – a passenger engagement platform – to address the travel needs of passengers through their journey. The App, which enable airports to run digitally, helps extend a contactless experience to flyers, ensuring their journey is safe.