NEW DELHI, Apr 30: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday extended the ban on international commercial passenger flights by one month till May 31, 2021. The ban has been in place since March 2020.
However, this restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specificly approved by the aviation regulator.
“In partial modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the above subject regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs 1ST of 31th May, 2021. This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA. However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis,” said DGCA circular.
All scheduled international flights were restricted on March 23 last year in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and continue to be banned. However, various international flights were operationalised under bilateral air bubble agreements that India signed with several nations for the unhindered movement of passengers.
India has formed air bubble pacts with 27 countries including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories.
However, the second wave of the pandemic, which has resulted in daily infection cases rising to as high as 3.87 lakh, has forced many countries including the US, UK and Canada to temporarily stop international flight operations to/from India.
Even for domestic air travel, many state governments have made it compulsory for passengers to have a negative RT-PCR report in order to be eligible for air travel. Due to such restrictions, domestic aviation has been severely affected. (agencies)
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