As part of its attempt to ease restrictions on international travel amidst the coronavirus pandemic, the Indian government has formed a special air bubble arrangement with Ethiopia. Under the bilateral arrangement, special international flights will be operated between the two countries. This has taken the count of countries with an air bubble arrangement with India to 22. India is also pondering on forming an air bubble with Nepal.
Other countries that have formed an air bubble arrangement with India include Canada, Germany, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, Japan, Maldives, the UK, the UAE, the US and the Netherlands among others.
International passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, special international flights have been allowed under the Vande Bharat mission to evacuate Indians stranded abroad.
Air bubbles are temporary arrangements reached between two countries to restore commercial passenger services as the regular international flights remain suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.