Muscat: Offering much relief for travellers to and from Oman, the air bubble agreement between the Gulf nation and India has been modified. Announcing the decision, the Civil Aviation Authority said the new deal would increase the number of weekly flight services, leading to an additional thousand seats in one direction.
At present, a total of 12,000 seats are allowed – 6,000 in each direction. To make these seats available, Air India and Air India Express would add more services. While Air India Express is planning to introduce new services in the Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram sectors, Air India will be adding another four schedules in the Delhi and Mumbai sectors.
Free visiting visa
In yet another boost for travel to the country, Oman has allowed free visiting visa for citizens from 103 countries, including India. With this visa, travellers can spend a maximum of 10 days in Oman. The Royal Oman Police said that the measure was intended to attract foreign tourists to the country.
Moreover, the Oman government is hoping to provide a fillip to the tourism industry and increase the share of the sector in the nation’s economy.
However, travellers from other countries availing of the free visiting visa facility have to carry out mandatory hotel booking, take out health insurance and should have booked return tickets.
