New Delhi, Nov 26 ( KINS) : India will resume scheduled international flights from December 15, the Civil Aviation Ministry said Friday evening.
“The matter of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services, to and from India, has been examined in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health, and it has been decided… may be resumed from December 15.”
Scheduled international flights – except repatriation services and flights carrying essential goods – were suspended in March last year, as the country went into a Covid lockdown.
Restrictions were eased gradually – as the caseload dropped and vaccination coverage increased, with ‘air bubble’ arrangements with other countries. India currently has 28 such deals.
Under such a deal, international passenger flights can be operated by member countries’ respective carriers into each other’s territories, subject to certain conditions.
Last week Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government was evaluating the process of normalising international flight ops.
He said that while the government was keen for things to return to normal, it would take measures to guard against a renewed wave of coronavirus infections, particularly since several major European nations have recorded frightening surge in daily new cases.
“I am all for regaining our space in the civil aviation arena in the world and making a hub in India and for more wide body aircraft. We will get there but bear with me and trust me… I am on your side. We will work together but in a safe environment,” he said at a public event. (KINS)
