Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
India extends international flight ban to August 31
India has extended the suspension of all international passenger flights until August 31 in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic. However, this will not apply to all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the country's civil aviation authority.
India has extended the suspension of all international passenger flights until August 31 in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, said a report, citing the country's Director-General of Civil Aviation, DGCA.
However, this restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.
The aviation regulator also noted that during the suspension period, more than 2,500 repatriation flights by foreign carriers had been approved to uplift stranded passengers to and from India.
Under the Vande Bharat Mission, in total, Air India and Air India Express have uplifted 2,67,436 stranded passengers and other charters have uplifted 4,86,811 stranded passengers during the period from 6th May to 30th July, 2020, the government said in a statement.
To allow gradual movement of passenger traffic, 'Transport Bubble' agreements have been signed with US, France, and Germany.
On July 9, India had announced an air bubble deal with the UAE that would be in place from July 12 to 26.
Recently, 'Transport Bubble' agreement had been signed with Kuwait to uplift stranded passenger both to and from India. More similar arrangements are likely to fructify and ease passenger movements from different countries, the regulator said in a statement.
In the coming days, more countries like UK, Canada could also have these bubbles with India allowing people — as per government norms — to travel to and from there, it added.-TradeArabia News Service