From March 27 India To Resume International Passenger Flights After Two Years
Siddhi Dharmadhikari
Pune, 8th March 2022: Over two years after being suspended over the coronavirus pandemic, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today announced the resumption of scheduled international flights and an end of air transport bubbles that replaced regularly scheduled flights in the previous two years.
From March 23, 2020, regular scheduled international flight operations to and from India were suspended in an attempt to control the rapid spread of the coronavirus. India started air bubble pacts with around 32 countries, which included countries like the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan, and France.
The Civil Aviation Ministry informed in a press release that “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, i.e. start of Summer Schedule 2022.”
India’s aviation regulator DGCA further stated 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”
“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.”
From December 15, 2021, the government had earlier decided to allow scheduled international passenger flights but the decision was quickly called off due to the global spread of the Omicron variant of Covid-19.
It is said that this move is expected to boost international capability along with this, it will help ease airfares that have been zooming due to increased demand in crude oil prices.
