India suspends international passenger flights till February 28

Aviation regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in India to be extended till February 28. Scheduled international passenger flights have

Aviation regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation has announced the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in India to be extended till February 28.

Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 last year. However, special passenger flights have been operating between India and approximately 40 countries since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements formed with them.

In a circular issued today, the DGCA stated that the competent authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to or from India till February 28.

This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

It was noted that fights under air bubble arrangement will not be affected.The DGCA had on November 26, 2021, announced that India will resume scheduled international passenger flights from December 15, 2021.

Just a day later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked the Civil Aviation Ministry and the DGCA to review its decision in wake of the rising concerns of the COVID-19 variant Omicron.

On December 1, 2021, the DGCA revoked its November 26 decision without saying how long the suspension of scheduled international flights would continue.

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