India finalized air bubble pact with Sri Lanka

Context

India has finalized a bilateral air bubble arrangement with Sri Lanka for the operation of special international passenger flights between two nations.

About the Air Bubble arrangement

• Temporary Arrangement: “Transport Bubbles” or “AirTravel Arrangements” are the temporary arrangements between two countries that are aimed at restarting commercial passenger services during the regular international flights are suspension amid COVID-19 pandemic.
• Special flights: Under the pact, the two countries conduct special international passenger flights which can be operated by their airlines into each other's territories under restrictive conditions.
• Nations: Sri Lanka has been the 6th nation in SAARC region and the 28th in total with such an arrangement with India.
  • The other nations include Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, the U.K., and the USA.
• Eligibility: Under the pact, all the eligible passengers will be able to travel between the 2 countries.