Representational image.
The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on January 19 has extended the ban on scheduled international commercial flights to and from the country till February 28.
In a circular, the DGCA stated: “The competent authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs IST of February 28, 2022.”
“This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA,” the notification said.
Also, flights under air bubble arrangement will not be affected.
pic.twitter.com/5KCcDlZHMX
— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) January 19, 2022
India has air transport bubbles with Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, US and Uzbekistan.
The agreements allow both-way air travel under some terms and conditions.
In November 2021, the government had also planned to resume scheduled international flight operations from December 15, however, the emergence of Omicron threw a spanner in the plan and the government withdrew the decision to resume scheduled international flights.