US curbs repatriation flights: Govt says examining American carriers’ requests

Faced with allegations levelled by the US that the Indian government has permitted Air India to fly commercial passengers on outbound legs of repatriation flights, while not permitting US airlines to operate flights to India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said Tuesday it was in negotiations with various countries to establish “travel bubbles” or unrestricted corridors between countries, including the US. Accusing India of being “unfair” and engaging in “discriminatory practices”, the US Department of Transportation (DoT) has restricted repatriation flights being operated by Air India, saying that the national airline will need specific authorisation from the department to conduct such flights.