The aviation regulator in the country, DGCA informed on Friday that the suspension of the scheduled international passenger flights will be prolonged until November 30th, 2021. The flights have been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The DGCA further said that even though the suspension is extended, some of the international scheduled flights may be operated on selective routes under the supervision of competent authorities on a case-to-case basis.
The “Air Bubble” Pact to Continue
Previously the scheduled international passenger services were suspended in India in the month of March of 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. However, Vande Bharat Mission was launched to operate certain international flights in May 2020 along with bilateral “air bubble” arrangements that were made with selected countries for the operations of the international flights.
US, UK, Kenya, UAE, Bhutan, and France are part of the 28 countries that India has formed an “air bubble” pact with around the globe. The air bubble pact allows the two countries to operate special international flights by their airlines between their territories under strict regulations.
However, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has made it very clear in their statement that the suspension won’t affect the operations of international all-cargo services and flights approved by it. These services have been very specifically consented to by the DGCA.
