(Image source from: indiatoday.in)

Two years after the coronavirus pandemic, the Indian government announced that it would resume the regular international flights from March 27th on a full-fledged note. "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, i.e start of the summer schedule 2022" told the official statement from the Indian government. The Civil Aviation Ministry said that the international operations shall be subjected to the adherence to the Ministry of Health for the international travelers.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) extended the ban on regular commercial international passenger flights on February 28th, 2020. The operating flights under air bubble are arranged since 2021. India is holding air bubbles with the countries of 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. Though the Aviation Ministry had plans to resume the regular international flights from December last year but was delayed due to the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

By Siva Kumar