The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Thursday that India will keep its ban on scheduled international passenger flights that were supposed to start from December 15, till January 31, keeping in account the emerging threat from the new Covid-19 variant.
The extension in suspending the scheduled international flights was decided in partial modification to the earlier order today.
However, this ban will not apply to flights that are specially approved by the regulator and to international all-cargo operations.
While, international scheduled flights may be allowed for selective routes for specific cases.
“In the view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services will be notified in due course,” DGCA has said earlier.
Air bubble pacts has been formed by India with around 32 countries which include – the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France.
This clearly suggests that Omicron variant has triggered a global alarm. Moreover, the border closures resume casting a shadow over the economy recovery from the pandemic.
