Air India Express, a subsidiary of Air India, has issued a new guideline amidst the tightening COVID travel restrictions. The Air India Express IX flights to Kuala Lumpur will now only fly passengers who have Kuala Lumpur as their final destination.
Air India has resumed several international flights under the Vande Bharat Mission. These flights however are in adherence to the changing travel restrictions of the partner country. The airline operates its flights in strict accordance with these travel guidelines. Hence, the notification issued by the flight company states that Air India Express being a point-to-point carrier cannot take responsibility for onward connections on other airlines.
This is because the airline does not have an interline agreement with any other airline. Interline flight agreements allow airlines to provide for an easier transition for passengers between connecting flights. An itinerary is used to coordinate between different airlines allowing for a single check-in which makes the process easier for passengers.
The airline has also instructed passengers to be in possession of all documents including visas that are required in the destination country.
India presently has an air bubble with 18 countries while talks are underway to expand international air connectivity. Presently, India does not have an air bubble with Malaysia.
Indians looking to go to Kuala Lumpur will now have to think of an alternative route as countries and airlines tighten their restrictions with the rise in the number of corona cases.