The ministry of civil aviation has removed the curbs on the number of flights that can be operated between India and Ukraine under the bilateral air bubble arrangement. India has advised its citizens to temporarily leave Ukraine because of the rising tensions with Russia.

“Any number of flights as well as charter flights can operate (between India and Ukraine). Indian airlines have been informed to increase the number of flights because of a rise in demand. The aviation ministry is facilitating (this) in co-ordination with the MEA (ministry of external affairs),” an official said.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “I don’t think any decision on evacuation has been taken, our embassy continues to function normally and provide services to Indians in Ukraine.”

India has suspended scheduled international flights but overseas flights operate under bilateral air bubble agreements. India currently has such agreements with 35 countries, including Ukraine. However, only one Indian carrier operates a direct flight to Kyiv.

Ukraine International Airlines, the flag carrier of the country, flies a weekly one-stop flight from Kyiv to New Delhi via Ras AL Khaimah.

Airlines such as Air France, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways operate one-stop and two-stop flights between Ukraine and India.