If you wish to travel abroad, you’d have to wait a little longer. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights till February 28, 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. International flights have been suspended in India since March 25. While selected international flights can continue under air bubble agreements, scheduled international passenger flights will resume on a later date. Read on to know more.
DGCA Extends Suspension On International Flights Till January 31
DGCA announced the extension of the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights till February 2021 end. According to a report, the DGCA stated in a circular that the Indian government has extended its ban on international commercial flights till February 28. The order also reads, “This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.” It states, “international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis. “Meanwhile, the demand for private jets is increasing within the country now.
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The ban on international flights to and from India was initially extended till October 31 and then till November 30. But now, due to the unrelenting rise in the COVID-19 pandemic across India, DGCA extended this ban again until February.
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Vande Bharat Flights Continue To Bring Back Stranded Indians Across 21 Countries
But passengers can travel on special international flights under the Vande Bharat Mission. India has arranged flights under the bilateral air bubble agreements with 21 different countries like the USA, the UK, Kenya, Bhutan and France since July. The air bubble pact between the two countries permits special international flights between their territories. The DGCA also clarified that suspension of scheduled international flights won’t stop international cargo operations and flights approved. Vande Bharat flights continue to bring back thousands of Indians stranded abroad. Meanwhile, watch this video to know more about passengers’ Vande Bharat flight experience.