Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (Caab) tonight accepted the proposal of India's Ministry of Civil Aviation to resumeair bubble flights between the two countries from September 4.

Caab issued a circular in this regard clearing the way to resume flights between the two countries four months after it was suspended amid rising Covid-19 infections.

In the circular, Caab said the air bubble agreement will continue until the resumption of scheduled international passenger flights between the two countries.

Meanwhile, amid fears of a new Covid-19 variant that is potentially more infectious and resistant to vaccines, India has made a negative RT-PCR result not older than 72 hours mandatory for passengers travelling to India from seven more countries, including, Bangladesh, China and South Africa, Our New Delhi correspondent reports. 

The move came following the discovery of a new Covid variant C.1.2 - which virologists say could be more infectious and has shown signs of resistant to vaccines.

In the circular issued last night, Caab also said irrespective of Covid-19 vaccination, any passenger travelling from India shall have to complete 14 days' strict home quarantine and all other related provisions, including requirement of RT-PCR tests, would be applicable.

Aircrafts will be restricted to carrying passengers at 90 percent of the total seating capacity, according to the circular

Caab also proposed to include "Passengers with Business Visa" specially for facilitating Airlines Crew to travel to India for simulator training.

Caab primarily accepted India's proposal to operate seven weekly flights to India by the Bangladeshi air carriers under the air bubble. 

However, Caab proposed allocating 10 weekly flights for India's consideration.

According to the circular, Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate two flights per week each on the Dhaka-Kolkata-Dhaka and Dhaka-Delhi-Dhaka route while US-Bangla Airlines will operate three flights on the Dhaka-Chennai-Dhaka route.