India has approved Kenya's request for special landing rights for emergency aircraft during the Covid-19 pandemic season.

The arrangement announced on Wednesday means both countries have agreed to allow each other's aircraft to land even when their respective airspaces are closed.

India's Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Wednesday that the Asian country has signed similar bilateral arrangements with 15 other countries to specifically allow flights in and out of their territories, in a quid-pro-quo understanding.

"In order to further boost bilateral international air connectivity, Air Bubble arrangements are now in place with Kenya and Bhutan. Indian carriers will be able to operate to these countries. Carriers of these countries will be able to fly to India," Mr Puri said on Twitter.

The countries include Kenya, Australia, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Bahrain, Israel, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

Source: https://allafrica.com/stories/202010020096.html