The suspension of international flights has been extended until September 30

New Delhi: The government extended the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger flights to and from India on Sunday (August 29) until September 30. All scheduled international flights to and from India remain banned since March 23 last year in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The restrictions on international commercial flights were due to expire on August 31, 2021. However, the suspension was extended for fear of a third wave.

As per the latest circular, the ban will remain in effect until 2359 Indian Standard Time (IST) on September 30, 2021. However, it does not apply to cargo flights and flights approved by the regulator.

This restriction does not apply to all cargo operations and international flights specifically approved by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Scheduled international flights may be permitted on routes specified by the competent authority on a case-by-case basis.

It should be noted that despite broader restrictions on international travel, some flights may subsequently be operated to bring back stranded citizens or eligible cases. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has signed bilateral agreements with more than 28 countries for the movement of eligible citizens in the wake of Covid restrictions.

India has signed joint agreements with Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Seychelles and Sri Lanka. . Tanzania, Ukraine, UAE, UK, USA, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

Air bubble agreements have been signed by countries to allow mutually private international flights to carry passengers between their territories. However, due to the seriousness of the second wave, many countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Canada have temporarily suspended flight operations to and from India.

Meanwhile, after a long pause, India-Bangladesh flights will resume from September 3, 2021. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) said airlines can resume operations after four months under the air bubble agreement the two countries signed last year. .

Air services between the two countries have been suspended as the number of Covid-19 cases increased during the second wave of the pandemic earlier this year. The letter from the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that “the bubble may resume on 03.09.21 until the resumption of scheduled international passenger flights.”