International Flights To Remain Suspended Till September 30, DGCA Annonces; What Are Other Ways To Fly Abroad

In the circular, the DGCA, however maintained that the international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis.

(Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP)

New Delhi: Even as India is about to enter the fourth phase of the country’s staggered unlocking, the scheduled international flights shall remain suspended for another month. The Directorate of Civil Aviation has extended the suspension of scheduled international flights till September 30, as per agencies. In a circular, the DGCA, however maintained that the international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis. However, the suspension does not affect the operation of international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA, said the circular. On March 23, the government first suspended the scheduled international passenger services, in the wake of the outbreak of Coronavirus in India. Punjab Govt has also issued revised guidelines for international arrivals. Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said that before planning for travel, all travellers should submit self-declaration form on the online portal at least 72 hours before scheduled travel, the State Government has said. Alternative ways to travel abroad? DGCA has stated that international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis. It is to be noted that the Government of India has been operating special non-commercial flights under Vande Bharat Mission and Air Transport Bubble arrangement since the month of May to facilitate the transfer of stranded citizens. India so far has bilateral air travel arrangements or air bubbles with the US, the UK, Germany, France, Qatar, Maldives, and the UAE while negotiations are going on with 13 more countries. The Vande Bharat flights have been operating since May 6 and currently, the Scheme is in Phase 5. Only those crew and staff who have tested COVID-19 negative will be allowed to operate these flights and ships. Last week the ministry of home affairs (MHA) issued Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for international travel on non-scheduled commercial flights under the Vande Bharat Scheme and for the bilateral air bubble arrangements with other countries.