Travel agents appeal to government to restart international scheduled flights

MUMBAI: Travel agents have appealed to the government to restart international scheduled airline flights to under-served countries that are beyond the air bubbles agreement and allow agents to sell tickets for these flights.
In the appeal sent to the ministry of civil aviation on Wednesday, the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) said that this was the right time to recommence international scheduled airline operations as "global skies open up".The appeal followed a meeting TAAI had with the civil aviation minister on August 13, said a press note issued by TAAI.
"The air bubbles permits point to point services between only a few countries which have signed the agreement with India," said TAAI. "We have appealed to permit and open the criteria for airlines to carry passengers to various other countries beyond their hubs to the under served markets," said TAAI president, Jyoti Mayal.
"This is because in a lot of markets where there are fewer requirements for VBM or where air bubbles are not created, the carriers shall be able to carry passengers as per specified norms to and from India and transiting country," she added.
Since air bubble flights too don't meet adequate capacity, this shall open up the capacity and give opportunity to member travel agents, airlines and travellers to commence their activities. TAA said that such a move would help the economy and also cater to the flyers living in non-connected sectors who wish to fly to/ from India.