The suspension of international passenger flights has been extended until 31st January’21 by the government of India. It may be noted that international passenger flights were suspended since March 2020 in the wake of Covid-19 and the extension is due to the new strain developing now. However, the restrictions do not apply to the air cargo services and the special flights that come under the “air bubble pact”.

India formed air bubble pact in October 2020 with 24 countries including USA, UK, Kenya, UAE, France and Bhutan as per which special international flights can be operated between 2 countries by their airlines between their territories under restrictive conditions.

Special international flights have been operating under the “Vande Bharat Mission” since May and since July under the bubble pact. The government of India extended the suspension of all other international flights till 31st January in a meeting today, 30th December 2020. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that air cargo services and special flights do not fall under this restriction.

(Prior to this, the flights between UK and India were suspended till January 7th following the new strain of corona virus.)

media reports