Aviation regulator DGCA on Friday said the suspension of scheduled international flights to and from the country has been extended till August 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The suspension of scheduled international commercial services was till July 31. within the wake of the pandemic, overseas flights were suspended in late March, while cargo flights and people approved by the DGCA are permitted to work.
In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the govt has decided to “extend the suspension on the Scheduled International Commercial Passenger Services to/from India up to 2359 hours IST of 31st August”.
However, this restriction wouldn’t applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.
During the suspension period, quite 2,500 repatriation flights by foreign carriers to uplift stranded passengers to/ from India are approved, the statement said.
Under the Vande Bharat Mission, Air India and Air India Express have uplifted 2,67,436 stranded passengers, and other charters have uplifted 4,86,811 stranded passengers during May 6 to July 30 period, it added.
As a part of allowing gradual movement of passenger traffic amid the pandemic situation, ‘Transport Bubble’ agreements are signed with the US, France, and Germany.
“Recently, ‘Transport Bubble’ agreement has also been signed with Kuwait to uplift stranded passenger both to/ from India. More similar arrangements are likely to fructify and ease passenger movements from different countries,” the statement said.
