India to resume regular international flights from March 27

After two years, India will resume regular international flight operations from March 27.

“After being recognized the increase of vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from March 27, 2022, ie start of the summer schedule 2022,” said an order from the government.

International operations shall be subject to strict adherence to Ministry of Health guidelines for international travel, the Civil Aviation Ministry said. On February 28, the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had extended the ban on regular commercial international passenger flights until further orders.

India has been operating flights under air bubble arrangements since 2021.

India has air transport bubbles with Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, US and Uzbekistan.

The aviation ministry had, in November last year, announced plans to resume regular international flights starting December 15, 2021, but rescinded that order due to the rise in Omicron cases.

International flights were first suspended in March 2020 after a nationwide lockdown was imposed to tackle the first wave of the pandemic.