Emerging Air Bubbles across the World to Facilitate International Travel

120

A year since the coronavirus pandemic turned the aviation industry on its head, the callfor establishing travel bubbles is slowly getting louder once again. Blooming international air bubble arrangements are expected to help boost the travel section this year. Once again, Asian countries have emerged as the top nations to achieve this air bubble solution successfully in 2021.

Asia Leading the Way

On the 1^stof April, Taiwan will begin quarantine-free travel arrangements with one of its few remaining diplomatic allies in the region, the Pacific island of Palau. This move will see flag carrier China Airlines mount twice-weekly flights between Taipei and Palau, with strict capacity caps of 110 passengers per flight.The Taiwan-Palau bubble is also part of a broader attempt by the Taiwanese government to establish similar arrangements with countries in the region which have had relative success in controlling the spread of the coronavirus, including with Vietnam and Singapore.

A Long Due Alliance between Australia and New Zealand Revitalized

Australia and New Zealand, two countries which have also controlled the pandemic’s spread, are once again in talks for two-way travel bubbles, following various failed attempts last year. New Zealand’sPrime Minister,JacindaArdern recently stated that she would reveal when such arrangements would begin on the 6^th of April. Moreover, while trans-Tasman talks carry on, Australia is also pursuing similar arrangements with other countries, including Singapore.

The idea of travel bubbles was mooted as the region convulsed between waves of outbreaks in 2020.As early as last May, Australia and New Zealand leaders began talks about a Trans-Tasman bubble, given that their battle with the coronavirus had “similar trajectories”.The reciprocal bubble arrangement will benefit both countries, said their leaders, particularly for their tourism industries, which were beginning to acutely feel the sting of shut borders. Their last attempt to establish one failed remarkably. Now, New Zealand and Australia are set to try a different approach, by establishing travel bubble arrangements state wise. Thus, the arrangement will take into account the Australian state, as opposed to the country as a whole.