Indian airline Vistara has announced it will operate a special
service between Delhi and London Heathrow from 28 August to 30 September
following the formation of a travel bubble between the UK and India to allow
residents to return to either country.
The flights will mark Vistara’s first foray into
international operations and will be operated by the airline’s new Boeing 787-9
Dreamliner with Economy, Premium Economy and Business class seats. Flights will
operate on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, departing Delhi at 0215 and arriving
at Heathrow at 0655 local time. The return service takes off at 1535 and lands
at 0415 the following day local time.
Vistara said it will accept all eligible passengers meeting
visa or entry requirements in both countries. International passengers arriving
into Delhi must fill in a mandatory self-reporting form on Delhi airport’s
online portal Air Suvidah, where eligible travellers can apply for exemption
from compulsory quarantine. Meanwhile, passengers arriving in London will be
required to quarantine for 14 days unless they are in a profession that exempts
them.
According to Vistara, which is a joint venture between
Singapore Airlines and the Tata Group, all cabin crew will wear personal
protective equipment during the flight and avoid all non-essential interaction
with passengers. Aircraft cabins will be deep cleaned after every flight,
including sanitisation of all surfaces such as seats, touchscreens, overhead
bins, seatbelts, tray tables and galleys.
The airline has also received its second Dreamliner and
seeking regulatory approval to operate similar special flights to Paris and
Frankfurt.
Leslie Thng, CEO of Vistara, said: “As the world starts
opening up in a phased manner following an extended global lockdown, these
special flights give us the privilege of facilitating travel between the two
countries.
“The arrival of our second Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner further
strengthens our fleet and underlines our commitment to expanding globally.”