International commercial flight ban extended until February 28, 2021

New Delhi: The ban on scheduled commercial international flights has been extended until February 28, 2021. The restriction does not apply to international operations exclusively for cargo and flights successfully approved by the DGCA.

The DGCA in its circular stated: “In the partial modification of the circular dated 26.06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of the circular issued on the aforementioned issue with respect to international commercial passenger services from / to to India until 2359 IST on February 28, 2021. “

However, regular international flights may be allowed on routes selected by the competent authority as appropriate, according to the order of the DGCA.

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

India has formed air bubble pacts with 24 countries, including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, their airlines can operate special international flights between their territories.