However, to ensure strict adherence to all protocols, Indian and UK airlines will each operate 15 flights per week, i.e. 30 weekly flights, to and from four metropolitan cities, namely Delhi, Mumbai , Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
“It has been decided that flights between India and the UK will resume from January 8, 2021. Operations until January 23, 2021 will be restricted to 15 flights per week each for airlines from the two countries. to and from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru Only in Hyderabad. The DGCA will publish the details shortly, ”said aviation minister HS Puri in a tweet.
It has been decided that flights between India and the United Kingdom will resume from January 8, 2021. Operations until January 23 will be re… https://t.co/8HA6trZCPm
– Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) 1609510292000
When flights were suspended on December 23 due to the new and more infectious strain Covid, British Airways (29), Air India (23), Virgin Atlantic (8) and Vistara (7) were operating 67 weekly flights between London and London. Ten Indian cities including Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Goa, Amritsar and Kochi under the air bubble agreement.
Before December 23, almost 2,000-2,500 passengers used to fly to India every day from the UK on these weekly flights (66 from London Heathrow and one from Birmingham). With nearly four daily flights, it will be a challenge for airlines to adjust to the backlog of passengers from canceled flights.
However, the restrictions are necessary to prevent the outbreak of the most infectious Covid strain in India. So far, about 30 people in the country have been confirmed to have that strain.
“Flights will resume after being suspended for 16 days on January 8, which means about 140 flights canceled. Before, there were almost 10 daily flights and now there will be almost four daily. It will be a challenge for any airline to accommodate passengers. But this must be done to control the pandemic and we hope that passengers understand our limitations, “said a senior airline official.
An Air India spokesperson said: “All passengers were contacted on December 22nd and their (previously) booked flights were rescheduled. After the announcement (on Friday), messages and emails were sent to passengers informing them of the rescheduled date of the trip. Passengers who were booked to fly on December 23 will be accommodated on the first outbound flight. ”
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