In a massive relaxation of Covid curbs, international passenger flight operations will resume from March 27 – over two years after being suspended over the coronavirus pandemic, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said today, citing increased vaccination coverage globally. The suspension was last extended on February 28, this year.
Regular scheduled international flight operations to and from India were suspended on March 23, 2020 in an attempt to arrest the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus. However, special international flights were operated under the Centre’s mammoth repatriation effort – Vande Bharat Mission – from May 2020 and under the bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with select countries since July 2020. India formed air bubble pacts with around 32 countries, including the US , the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France.
“After having recognized the increased vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from 27.03.2022, ie start of Summer Schedule 2022,” India’s aviation regulator DGCA said in a statement.
“The suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India, thus, stands extended till 2359 hrs IST on 26.03.2022 and air bubble arrangements shall accordingly be extended to this extent only,” it further said.
“The international operations shall be subject to strict adherence to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare guidelines for international travel dated 10.02.2022 and as amended from time to time.”
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Earlier, the DGCA had announced the resumption of international flights from December 15, 2021. But with the Omicron variant of coronavirus triggering a global alarm, the regulator extended the ban till January 31, 2022, when it was further extended.
The novel coronavirus has infected billions and killed millions globally since the outbreak in 2019. India has reported 4.29 crore cases so far with 5.15 lakh related deaths.
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