DGCA extends ban on scheduled international passenger flights

Ban on international commercial passenger flights has been extended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Wednesday by one month till July 31, 2021. 

“International Scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case by case basis,” the DGCA said in a circular. The DGCA circular also said that the restriction will not apply to international all-cargo operations.

International scheduled flights have been suspended since March 23, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but flights are allowed under the ‘air bubble’ agreement. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories. India has air bubble pacts with around 24 countries including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France.