The possibility of the 3rd wave of Covid and the emergence of the Delta variant has pushed the government into suspending the international flights further. The suspension of international flights from India was to end on July 31 but the surge in corona virus cases has forced the government to extend the suspension till August 31.

It may be noted that the flights operating under mutual air bubble agreement with 28 countries will continue as is. The decision to extend the suspension has been taken on Friday 30th July, 2021 as per a circular issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The DGCA said that the ban shall remain in place till the midnight of 31st August. The ban shall not apply to cargo flights and those approved by the regulatory body. "This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA. However international scheduled flights may be allowed on select routes by the competent authority on a case to case basis" the circular noted.