New Delhi: In a significant announcement on Thursday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India has been extended till January 31, 2022.
This comes after the central government last month decided to resume international passenger flights to India from December 15. However, the center decided to review the decision as countries began reporting cases of omicron, the new coronavirus mutation said. ‘Concern form’ Word by Health Organization.
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“In partial modification of circular dated 26-11-2021, the Competent Authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services up to 2359 hrs IST of 31st January, 2022. This restriction shall not apply to all international-cargo operations and flight exclusively approved by DGCA,” the official circular read.
“However, international scheduled flights may be permitted on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis,” it added.
(Photo Credits: ANI)
In the wake of Omicron’s scare, the Union Home Ministry had said that the government will review the decision to resume scheduled commercial international passenger service on December 15.
“As per the evolving global scenario, the decision on the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger service will be reviewed. The emerging pandemic situation within the country will be closely monitored,” the MHA had said.
At present, international passenger flights are being operated in a restricted manner under bilateral air bubble arrangements with various countries.
By 24 November, India had formalized the air bubble arrangement with 31 countries.
According to news agency PTI report, Minister of State for Civil Aviation VK Singh had recently told the Upper House that this arrangement provides air travel bubble arrangement to provide direct/indirect connectivity to more than 100 countries.
International passenger services have been suspended since March 23 last year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, 23 cases of Omicron have been reported in India, including 10 from Maharashtra, nine from Rajasthan, two in Karnataka, one in Gujarat and one in Delhi.
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