Int'l flights to remain suspended in India until July 31 due to COVID-19

By: TP News Date: 7/1/2021 10:25:42 AM

WASHINGTON:

Commercial international flights to and from India shall remain suspended until July 31, aviation officials said Wednesday.

According to a circular issued by the country's civil aviation watchdog - Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday, the restriction shall not be applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.

International scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis, it said.

Commercial flights were suspended when the country imposed a complete nationwide lockdown late in March last year to contain the spread of the COVID-19.

Domestic flights resumed operations in India on May 25 last year after nearly two months of suspension. International flights continue to remain suspended.

However, Indian authorities have been operating special international flights since May last year and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with selected countries since July last year.