International Flights Suspension Extended Till Dec 31, Passengers Can Benefit From Air Bubble

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the suspension on scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till December 31.

(Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended till December 31 amid the rising cases of coronavirus pandemic, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Thursday.

However, the government has allowed the movement of passengers via air bubbles. An air bubble is a travel corridor between two countries that will fly their aircraft in a regulated environment.

The circular also mentioned that there will be no restriction on international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.

Suspension on scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India extended till 31st December: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) pic.twitter.com/SPT68cxkRX

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2020

Despite the international flight suspension, anyone who wants to travel to foreign countries benefit from the air bubble arrangements. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories. As of now, India has air bubble pacts with around 22 countries including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, the Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Tanzania, the UAE, the UK, Ukraine and the US. Additionally, the country has been operating special international flights under the Vande Bharat Mission since May this year. It is worth noting that the scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since 23 March due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under the bilateral 'air bubble' arrangements with selected countries since July.