The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that international passenger flights will remain suspended till 30th June. The ban has been in place since March last year and was last extended till 31st May amid the second wave of the pandemic.
DGCA added that this restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the aviation regulator.
Special international flights have been operating under the Centre’s Vande Bharat Mission since May 2020. Moreover, the government has signed bilateral ‘air bubble’ arrangements with select countries since July last year. These include 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, in light of the rising cases in India during the second wave, some countries have banned flights to and from India. This includes the Emirate Airline, the official airline for the UAE with exemptions for UAE Nationals, holders of UAE Golden Visas and members of diplomatic missions who comply with the latest mandatory Covid-19 protocols.
The restriction of international flights has impacted the hospitality industry badly, especially business hotels, which were heavily dependent on them for their room occupancy.
