India Market Updates: Nov 2020

November 2020

• India has signed an air bubble arrangement with Rwanda, increasing the number of countries under the air bubble agreement to 21. International flights from both sides will fly between the two countries.
  
  
• The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended till November 30, 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said today. “However, the international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis,” the Indian aviation regulator said in a circular. The scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under the bilateral ‘air bubble’ arrangements with selected countries since July.
  
  
• Vistara to fly to Doha. The airline will be operating direct flights between Delhi and Doha from November 19, 2020. The airline will fly twice a week between the two cities, on Thursdays and Sundays.
  
  
• Travel trends for 2021. Travel will continue to be more about living, working and connecting safely away from home. As staycations and nearby stays continue to define travel trends, Airbnb predicts that India will see a new wave of domestic, regenerative travel. Outbound, Indians are continuing to prize locations such as Toronto and London. Commenting on these trends, Amanpreet Bajaj, General Manager – Airbnb India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, said, “As we come closer to 2021, transparency, trust and safety will be more critical than ever before, and will continue to set the benchmark for traveller expectations. Trends such as travelling closer to cities and working from anywhere will continue to see interest. Importantly, this means that travel benefits more and more local communities economically, rather than being concentrated in tourist hotspots. We truly look forward to a future of travel that is inclusive, sustainable and regenerative.”