Foreign flights won’t resume on December 15, decision later
Currently, int’l passenger flights are being operated under bilateral air bubble arrangements with various countries
NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday decided not to resume scheduled international flights from December 15, less than a week after announcing the decision in the wake of rising concerns over the Covid variant Omicron.
Since its detection, the Omicron strain has been reported in a dozen countries, including the United Kingdom and mainland Europe, and Japan. This week Germany confirmed its first cases - travellers from South Africa - and Italy its first - a passenger from Mozambique. The strain may also be present in the Netherlands, where 61 arrivals on two flights from South Africa have tested positive for COVID-19.
Aviation watchdog DGCA said the effective date for resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services will be notified in due course. Scheduled international flights remain suspended since March 23, 2020, due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The latest move also comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 27 asked officials to review the
plans for easing international travel restrictions amid concerns over Omicron.
In a circular on Wednesday, DGCA said that in view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new Variants of Concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders.
“...an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.
The watchdog also referred to its circular issued on November 26 wherein it was decided that scheduled international flights will resume from December 15.
On November 28, a day after the Prime Minister’s directions regarding the easing of international travel curbs, the government had said the decision to resume the services will be reviewed.
While no cases of Omicron have been reported in India so far, the authorities have put in place stricter norms for international passengers.
On November 29, Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the situation was being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other ministries regarding “any further decision” on resuming scheduled international passenger services.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Scindia had said the decision to resume the flights from December 15 was taken after recognising the increased vaccination coverage across the globe,
changing nature of the pandemic and considering the health protocols, which have been put in place for international arrivals.
“However, in view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other ministries, with regard to taking any further decision on the issue,” the minister had said.
Currently, international passenger flights are being operated under bilateral air bubble arrangements with various countries in a restricted manner.
As of November 24, India had formalised air bubble arrangements with 31 countries.
Meanwhile, with over 3.1 lakh fresh COVID19 cases, the month of November saw the lowest number of people contracting the viral disease in the country since May last year.
The monthly tally of fresh COVID-19 cases registered a decline for the sixth time in a row in November.
India added 8,954 new infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,45,96,776, while the active cases were recorded at less than a lakh after 547 days, according to the Union Health ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The death toll climbed to 4,69,247 with 267 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am. The cumulative number of Covid vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 125 crore on Wednesday, the ministry said. More than 71,55,049 vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm, it said.