The slots booked by SpiceJet, under the air bubble pact, will later be extended to operate regular flight services once international flight services are resumed, SpiceJet said in a regulatory filing.
An air bubble is a bilateral arrangement with a set of regulations and restrictions in which the carriers of the two countries can operate international flights.
“SpiceJet has secured slots at London Heathrow Airport to operate flights effective September 1. This is presently under the bubble arrangement between India and UK and effective up to end of summer schedule, which is October 23,” the airline said in the filing.
The same shall be extended on the resumption of regular operations, it added. All international commercial air passenger services in India are suspended since March 22, in the wake of travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, various evacuation and charter flights are being currently operated to fly back stranded Indians in various countries and also transport foreign nationals, who are stuck in India, to their countries.
SpiceJet also revealed that it is in “advance discussion to secure slots for the winter schedule for regular operations.” The winter schedule of airlines in India commences from the last Saturday of October and lasts up to the last week of March every year.
