Int’l flights to remain suspended in India until October 31 due to COVID-19
Commercial international flights to and from India shall remain suspended until October 31, officials said on Wednes-day.
According to a circular issued by the country’s civil aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday evening, the restrict-ion shall not be applicable for international all-cargo operat-ions and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.
“In partial modification of circular dated June 26, 2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject (Travel and Visa restrictions related to COVID-19) regarding scheduled international com-mercial passenger services to/from India till 23:59 (local time) of October 31, 2021,” the order issued by the DGCA said.
“However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the compe-tent authority on case to case basis.” Commercial flights were suspended when the country im-posed a complete nationwide lockdown in late March last year to contain the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
Domestic flights resumed operations in India on May 25 last year after nearly two mon-ths of suspension. International flights continue to remain su-spended.
However, Indian authorities have been operating special international flights since May last year and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with select countries since July last year.
Xinhua