Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, March 8: The Civil Aviation Ministry announced on Tuesday that it will resume regular international flight operations from March 27.
“Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from 27.03.2022. International operations shall be subject to strict adherence to Ministry of Health guidelines for international travel,” said Civil Aviation Ministry.
The move will allow airlines around the world that were previously only operating international flights to India under an air bubble arrangement to operate capacity in accordance with the original bilateral agreements, potentially lowering fares on international routes ahead of the summer travel season.
“After having recognized 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,” an official statement said.
Following the discovery of the Omicron version, the government cancelled an earlier plan to resume international scheduled commercial flights on December 15, 2021.
Since March 23, 2020, scheduled foreign passenger flights have been banned in India. However, under air bubble agreements made with them, unique passenger flights have been running between India and roughly 40 nations starting July 2020.
The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country was prolonged “until further orders” by the aviation regulator DGCA on February 28. The suspension was extended until February 28 on January 19.