In a new order passed by the Government of India, international flights ban has been extended till 31 December by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) amid the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic.
Only selected flights shall be allowed on case to case basis, the DGCA order read.
The notification, titled ‘Travel and Visa restrictions related to COVID-19’ said, “In partial modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject cited above regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs 1ST of 31St December, 2020.”
According to orders issued in this regard, it was clarified that restrictions are not applicable to international cargo operations and flights specially approved by DGCA.
The suspension of international commercial passenger flights from/to India, which has been in place since March 23 in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, was to expire on November 30. In the absence of regular flight service on overseas routes, special international flights are being operated under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries since July. Currently, India has established air bubbles with nearly 18 countries, which includes the US, the United Kingdom, France, the UAE, Qatar and the Maldives, Kenya and Bhutan, among others.
