Flying from UAE to India? Here's what you need to know as India brings back Air Suvidha portal

As India steps up surveillance amid the ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa, all international passengers, including those travelling from the UAE, must now complete a mandatory online health self-declaration before arriving in the country.The Ministry of Civil Aviation launched Air Suvidha 2.0 on Thursday, a contactless digital platform that enables travellers to submit their health and travel information online before departure.The move follows the World Health Organisation’s declaration of the Ebola/Bundibugyo virus disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).The requirement applies to passengers arriving from all countries, including the UAE, one of India’s busiest international travel corridors with multiple daily flights connecting Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates to Indian cities.

What UAE travellers need to do

Passengers can complete the Air Suvidha self-declaration form online within 24 hours before starting their journey.The form requires travellers to provide:

After submission, travellers can download the completed form and present it at the International Travel Health Desk or immigration counter on arrival in India.Authorities say the digital process is intended to reduce airport congestion and enable faster identification of potentially at-risk travellers. Why has India brought back Air Suvidha?India had earlier required health declaration forms for international arrivals following heightened global concern over the Ebola outbreak. However, the initial paper-based system led to long queues and delays at several airports.Air Suvidha 2.0 digitises the process by sharing passenger information in real time with airport health officers, immigration authorities and state surveillance teams, allowing screening to take place without physical paperwork.

Ebola outbreak sparks global alert

The current outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, was declared in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo in May.Countries bordering Congo and Uganda have been classified as high-risk for transmission. Ebola spreads through close contact with infected individuals and bodily fluids. Over the past five decades, the disease has claimed more than 15,000 lives across Africa.There are currently no approved vaccines or treatments specifically for the Bundibugyo strain. The WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have launched a USD 518 million response plan aimed at strengthening surveillance, testing and infection-control measures across the region.Earlier this month, Union Health Minister JP Nadda announced a USD 10 million contribution from India towards Ebola preparedness, response and recovery efforts in affected African countries.