COVID 19 Pandemic – India Extends Ban On International Flights!

The international flight ban that is in existence since March 2020 has been extended till further notice. Earlier it was assumed that international flights might get resumed from March 15, 2022.

The Aviation Ministry has sought approval from the Health Ministry which is monitoring the COVID 19 situation closely but due to a certain rise in COVID 19 cases and the emergence of various variants, the ministry has not given its nod for international flights resumptions.

India has banned all international commercial passenger flights since March 2020 when the COVID 19 pandemic struck the world. Many countries are operating international flights under the air bubble agreements. India has air bubble agreements with around 40 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, and UAE.

There will be no restrictions or bans on cargo flights or passengers flights operating under the bubble agreement.

Earlier, the DGCA (The Directorate General of Civil Aviation) has announced that international flights will be resumed from January onwards, but due to the Omicron variant and rising cases of Coronavirus around the world forced the Ministry of Aviation in India to extend the ban on international flights.

The airline industry which is severely affected by the COVID 19 pandemic and flight bans is eagerly waiting for the resumption of all commercial flights.