Suspension of scheduled international passenger flights extended till further orders, says DGCA order

The country's aviation authority, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), announced that the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights has been extended "till further instructions" on February 28, 2021. The suspension was earlier extended until February 28 on January 19.

"The competent authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till further orders," said the DGCA on Monday.

Following the outbreak of Coronavirus, scheduled international passenger flights have been banned in India with effect from March 23, 2020.

However, according to PTI, since July 2020, special passenger flights are flying under air bubble agreements between India and around 45 countries.

"This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations or flights specially approved by the DGCA," according to the circular.

The circular further mentioned that fights under air bubble arrangement will not be affected.

The DGCA had announced on November 26, 2021, that India would resume scheduled international passenger flights from December 15, 2021, as PTI mentioned.

According to the news agency, just a day later, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the DGCA to examine their decision, following rising concerns over the COVID-19 variant Omicron.

The DGCA overturned its November 26 decision on December 1, 2021, without specifying how long the suspension of scheduled international flights will last.