Omicron update: Govt mandates ‘Air Suvidha Portal’ for international air travel

New Delhi: To ensure the smooth passage of international travellers arriving in India, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW) has mandated contactless self-declaration at Air Suvidha Portal. The Air Suvidha portal was launched in August 2020 and now has been strengthened to accommodate travel guidelines issued on November 30 in view of a rising number of Omicron infections. Air Suvidha is the first of its kind digital portal for easing international passenger arrival in India.

Air Suvidha portal has been developed by MoCA aids passengers in providing their details of travel and final stay along with RTPCR, Vaccination status etc. In today's time, this helps state officials in contact tracing. The implementation of the Air Suvidha intends to provide hassle-free, queue free, and convenient air travel to all international passengers arriving in India.

Air Suvidha portal has already assisted2,51,210 passengers from 1st Dec 2021 to 05th Dec 2021 since the updating of the new travel guidelines on 30th November 2021. Furthermore, over 1 crore passengers have been benefitted from the 'Air Suvidha' portal since its launch in August 2020.

To ensure the necessary prevention of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, the exemption forms from the Air Suvidha portal have been discontinued, and filling of the details have been made compulsory for all international passengers arriving in India. All international passengers arriving in India are mandated to declare their current health status prior to boarding on the Air Suvidha Portal along with the required documents: Copy of Passport, PCR Negative Certificate from a Test conducted within 72 hours of departure and the Vaccination Certificate. For immigration, the copy received in e-mail is essential on arrival in India and has to be verified at the APHO counter.

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