The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended till November 30 amid the coronavirus pandemic, the directorate general of civil aviation said on Wednesday.
“However, the international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis,” the Indian aviation regulator said in a circular.
The scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under the bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries since July.
India has formed air bubble pacts with around 18 countries, including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories.
The circular by the directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) also mentioned that the suspension does not affect the operation of international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by it.
The scheduled domestic passenger flights resumed in India on May 25 after a gap of two months amid the pandemic situation.
Domestic schedule
The DGCA said it has approved 12,983 weekly domestic flights of airlines for the winter schedule that begins on Sunday and ends on March 27 next year.
In last year’s winter schedule, the aviation regulator had approved 23,307 weekly domestic flights
The DGCA has approved 6,006 weekly domestic flights of IndiGo for this year’s winter schedule. SpiceJet and GoAir have got 1,957 weekly domestic flights and 1,203 weekly domestic flights approved, the regulator said.
At present, airlines in India are allowed to operate a maximum 60 per cent of pre-Covid weekly domestic flights.
Hong Kong ban
Hong Kong has banned Air India flights from Mumbai till November 10 after five passengers on its flight earlier this week tested positive for Covid-19 post arrival, the airline said on Wednesday.
This is the fourth time that Air India flights from India have been banned by the Hong Kong government for bringing passengers who tested positive for the infection after arrival. Previous bans were on the airline’s Delhi-Hong Kong flights during September 20-October 3, August 18-August 31 and October 17-October 30.
Passengers from India can arrive in Hong Kong only if they have a Covid-19 negative certificate from a test done within 72 hours prior to the journey, according to rules issued by the Hong Kong government in July.
