DGCA extends ban on scheduled international passenger flights till January 31

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the ban on commercial international passenger flights till January 31, 2022.

The regulator issued a circular on December 9th, saying “The competent authority has decided to extend the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to and from India till 2359 hours of January 31, 2022.”

Scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May 2020 and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries since July 2020.

India has formed air bubble pacts with around 33 countries, including the US, the UK, the UAE, Australia, Kenya, Bhutan, Finland, and France. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories.