The ban on international flight operations has been extended till February 28, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) informed on Thursday. “The restrictions shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” the aviation regulator said in a circular.
Issuing a modified order in this regard, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated that international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the “competent authority on a case-to-case basis”. 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” arrangements with selected countries since July. Over the months, the centre, which is the highest executive authority in matters related to the pandemic, has eased restrictions in most of the fields of economy but not international flight operations. The centre had allowed domestic flight operations last year.
