India Bans International Flights Until 30 June; Permits Flights Operating Under Bilateral Air Bubble

​India Bans International Flights Until 30 June; Permits Flights Operating Under Bilateral Air Bubble

India, on Friday, has extended the suspension of International commercial flights until June 30, 2021. As per the circular issued by DGC, the ban, which was first put in place till May 31st, has now been extended until June 30. The circular also said that the restrictions would not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.

International Scheduled Flights May Be Allowed On Selected RoutesA circular from the DGCA said international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case to case basis.

Scheduled international flights to India have been suspended on and off, ever since the pandemic stuck the world in 2020. However, flights operating under the Vande Bharat Mission and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries have been operating since July 2020.

India currently has a bilateral air bubble arrangement, allowing it to operate special international passenger flights with 28 countries, including Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, the Maldives, Nigeria, Qatar, the UAE, the UK and the USA. The other countries with which India has such a pact are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Kuwait, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Russia, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

Due to the COVID-19 second wave, many countries have banned flights from India. However, as the cases have now started declining in the country, some Indian flyers are anticipating the resumption of international flights. But there are some countries that have extended bans on flights from India. These countries are Canada, Australia, the UAE, the UK, New Zealand, Oman and Nepal. Read on to know more.

Around 7 Countries Have Extended Flight Bans On IndiaCanada has banned flights from India till June 21, 2021.

In the UAE, the ban has been extended till  June 14. But UAE nationals with golden residence visas and diplomats adhering to UAE’s pandemic protocols can travel to the UAE from May 31 onwards. Cargo flights can continue to operate. In New Zealand and Nepal, the flight ban from India will remain until further orders.