Travel agencies have launched packages that include flights, hotel stays, food and PCR testing.
Numerous stranded Indian expatriates travel to countries such as Armenia and Uzbekistan in order to quarantine there and to return to their jobs and homes in the United Arab Emirates after an entry ban from India due to the Covid crisis there.
Travel agents confirmed that Indian expats from the UAE are choosing to spend 14 days in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, and fly to the UAE. This is a more viable option than private jets as the agencies have launched packages from Dh6,000 per passenger that include flights, hotel stays, food and a PCR test in Yerevan.
Entry of travelers from India is prohibited in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Kuwait. However, passengers receive exemptions if they have been quarantined in a third country for 14 days. Previously, many stranded travelers returned to the UAE via neighboring countries such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. However, after the UAE announced a ban on travelers from these countries, Indian expatriates are considering newer options.
First flight on May 22nd
Raheesh Babu, the general manager of Musafir.com, said that while many take the risk of traveling via Yerevan, some still raise large sums of money to travel on private charter jets.
“However, Indian expats who try to either come via Armenia have to undergo a 14-day quarantine. But if the UAE imposes a travel ban on Armenia, similar to Nepal and some other countries, it would be risky. So many are willing to pay double or triple the price for charter flights, ”said Babu.
The agency’s first flight from India to Armenia will be from Mumbai to Yerevan on May 22nd. Passengers are expected to arrive in Dubai on June 6th Indian food as well as PCR test in Armenia, ”said Babu.
“This is the first deal we broke. For the next deal, however, there could be a five to 10 percent increase. Getting a full flight of passengers is difficult so some other travel agents are working together by pooling resources. We also have a flight from Kochi that operates in the same week. We will operate from Mumbai and Kochi. People from northern India can reach Mumbai, and travelers from the south can board from Kochi. “
“At the moment we are only looking to Armenia because we can get a visa within four to five working days. We are also exploring other CIS countries (Commonwealth of Independent States). The only challenge would be if there is a new travel advisory from the UAE, ”explained Babu.
Pluto Travels is also considering a similar package. Bharat Aidasani, managing partner of the agency, said: “We are trying to arrange a charter flight for people stranded in India. You will travel to Armenia and undergo a 14-day quarantine. You can then travel to Dubai. We cannot do that with individual passengers. That’s why we try to work with some of our travel partners. “
“It’s going to be a bigger plane – charter with 180 to 200 passengers. We cannot do smaller charters as the costs are very high. The biggest challenge is the cost. The costs for the smaller charter are between 20,000 and 25,000 Dh. It’s good for leaders, but not for the working class. You have to look for alternatives to travel to another country, quarantine and return to the UAE, “Aidasani said.
The agency tries to arrange a package that includes flight, hotel, transfer and a PCR test. The price would be around Dh 7,500. “We haven’t officially started it yet. However, we are working on a soft launch and it is getting a good response as there are a lot of people who are coming back and want to get back to work, ”he added.
Raja Mir Wasim, Manager, MICE and Holiday, International Travel Services, said: “Indian expats are looking at options of where to travel to another country where the UAE has not closed its borders, quarantine for 14 days and then move to the UAE are coming. ”
“We hadn’t brought a package to Armenia yet, the reason was that Nepal was open last month. We had a lot of customers traveling there. But Nepal also announced a lockdown, and many of them who were in quarantine were stranded there. Nobody can guarantee which country will close its borders or announce a lockdown, ”said Wasim.
In addition, many states in India will be blocked. “This morning West Bengal was closed until May 30th. So, in order to create packages, there should be clarity. Also, many of our partners or suppliers are not working because business has stagnated, ”he added.
Some stranded Indian residents told the Khaleej Times they are risking travel to these countries as they could lose their jobs if they don’t return to the UAE soon. Aviation professional Asif Abbas said: “In my job profile there is no option to work from home. I have to get back to Dubai as soon as possible. “
reporter@khaleejtimes.com
