Singapore Airlines is all set to resume its flights to Kolkata, as the Singapore government decided to extend the Vaccinated Travel Lane Programme to India. Singapore to allow vaccinated travellers from India to travel to the country without having to quarantine from November 29 onwards.
The first flight between Singapore and Kolkata (post-lockdown) will also operate on November 29. India and Singapore are already operating special flights under the Vande Bharat programme. But flights between Kolkata and Singapore have not been operating since the outbreak of the virus.
This will be the first direct flight between Kolkata and any Southeast Asian country after the lockdown and restrictions. According to Travel Agents Association of India Chairman (East), Manav Soni, there is hope that there would be alternate days flights by Singapore Airlines with Indian carriers operating on the other days. This would ensure daily connection, and help students and tourists immensely.
Apart from India, Singapore has also opened up for Indonesia from November 29 onwards. Travellers from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar will be allowed to enter the country from December 6 onwards.
Meanwhile, the travel agent associations have requested Indian carriers to start flights to Thailand after Thai Airways decided to withdraw a six-decade-old flight service from Kolkata.
