This is the third time that Air India flights from India have been banned by the Hong Kong government for bringing passengers who underwent proof of infection after their arrival. The previous bans were from 20 September to 3 October and from 18 August to 31 August.
Vistara flights are first banned through the Hong Kong government by the coronavirus pandemic.
Indian passengers can arrive in Hong Kong if they have a negative COVID-19 certificate from a check carried out within 72 hours of the trip, in accordance with regulations issued through the Hong Kong government in July.
In addition, all foreign passengers must pass through a COVID-19 check after the flight at Hong Kong Airport.
When asked about the recent ban on their flights in Hong Kong, Air India spokesman told PTI: “Only passengers with negative coVID reports can board from India (according to Hong Kong government rules). “
Another mandatory COVID-19 check is ongoing for passengers after landing in Hong Kong and their reports may differ from control reports made 72 hours before taking the flight, the spokesman said.
“Therefore, Air India will be guilty of any deficiencies in the passenger control reporting factor,” the spokesman added.
Air India has 4 flights scheduled to Hong Kong between October 17-30, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that Air India follows all Hong Kong government regulations and protocols and that they were obviously communicated to passengers on its website.
Vistara has commented on banning her flights to Hong Kong.
In addition to India, a COVID-19 negative pre-flight certificate is required for all passengers from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa and the United States, in accordance with Hong Kong rules.
An airline operating a flight to Hong Kong from one of those nine countries will need to submit a form prior to departure, indicating that all passengers on board have negative COVID-19 certificates.
“Some passengers who traveled on Air India’s Delhi-Hong Kong flight and Vistara’s Chennai-Hong Kong flight on Thursday conducted COVID-19 tests after their arrival,” senior government official said.
“As a result, the flights of these two airlines were banned from 17 to 30 October through the Hong Kong government,” the official added.
Scheduled passenger flights have been suspended in India since 23 March due to the pandemic.
However, Indian airlines have been able to operate special foreign flights from the Vande Bharat project since May this year and from bilateral air bubble pacts since July this year.
As a component of a bilateral air bubble pact, airlines in both countries can operate foreign flights with certain restrictions, India has such pacts with around 17 countries.
This story was published from a firm thread without converting the text. Only the name has been changed.
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