All international flights were suspended during the coronavirus pandemic in March.
New Delhi:
International commercial flights to and from India will remain suspended until July 15, announced the DGCA of Civil Aviation Surveillance. The restriction will not apply to international cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the aviation regulator.
All passenger flights were suspended when the country was blocked in late March to contain the spread of the coronavirus. Domestic flights resumed on May 25.
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said last week that India would make a decision to resume international passenger flights in July if the coronavirus behaves “predictably” and the whole ecosystem of aviation and state governments were on board.
“I am often asked, when can you start international civil aviation? If you leave it to me, and if the ecosystem works, and if we have predictability in terms of virus behavior, I think within a month come, we should start But these decisions will not be made by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation. These decisions will be made by governments after examining their domestic situation, “said Puri.
The Aviation Minister said that a decision to resume international travel could be made in the coming months, even sooner, when domestic air traffic reaches 50 to 55% of its pre-COVID-19 capacity, and that states would be able to absorb more incoming passengers.
“In any case, it is not our call. It is a call where all stakeholders, including passengers and the whole ecosystem, are ready,” he added.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said on Tuesday that it plans to allow the resumption of certain international flights after the United States accused India of “unfair and discriminatory practices” and restricted special flights for the repatriation of ‘Air India.
(With agency contributions)
