NEW DELHI: The PPP (public private partnership) airport operators and travel industry has asked the government to reopen the doors for foreign tourists. A task force set up by the government with representatives from airlines, airports and airlines has also recommended re-opening for tourist visa and creating air bubbles with more countries.
The Association of Private Airport Operators (APAO) has told the aviation ministry the six metro airports saw 16 lakh international passengers in April to September, 2020, — 7% of the 2.2 crore witnessed in same period last year. “While we welcome the step taken by the government in relaxing visa and travel restrictions for foreign nationals, tourist visa has not been restored. (That) resumption will not only aid the aviation sector but also help recover the economy at a faster pace benefitting the entire tourism and hospitality eco-system of airlines, hotels, tour operators, transportation companies. We, therefore, request you to consider the resumption of tourist visa in a gradual manner,” APAO secretary-general Satyan Nayar wrote to the aviation ministry recently.
