Regular international flights — suspended for two years because of the pandemic — will resume from March 27.

The restart comes just at the start of the tourist season from April. South-East Asian nations Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore among others have announced the relaxation of travel restrictions and allowed international tourists to enter the country.

Malaysia will reopen its borders on April 1.

Indian travelers normally travel overseas during the April-to-June period when schools and colleges have their summer break.

Tourism accounts for around 9 per cent of India’s GDP, with the sector one of the country’s largest employers. Before the pandemic, the country earned around $30 billion annually from foreign travelers.

Nearly 17 million travelers entered the country in 2019-20, and around 27 million travelled to international destinations during the same period.

“After having recognised the increased vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from 27.03.2022, i.e. start of Summer Schedule 2022,” the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.

It said: “The suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India, thus, stands extended only up to 2359 hrs IST on 26.03.2022 and air bubble arrangements shall accordingly be extended to this extent only.”

Health norms

International operations shall be subject to strict adherence to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare guidelines for international travel as amended from time to time.

“This step will provide impetus to the economic recovery for the sector... we will soon be announcing the schedule for our international destinations, in accordance with these new guidelines,” IndiGo CEO Ronojoy Dutta said.

The plan

⚫ Flights from March 27. Bubble arrangements to end

⚫ Flyers to follow health ministry guidelines

⚫ Travel curbs relaxed in South East Asia