NEW DELHI: Omicron has further pushed back the resumption of scheduled international flights. They will now remain suspended till February 28, 2022, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a circular Wednesday.
Expensive options under air bubbles, which India now has with over 30 countries, will continue.
Regular international flights were suspended on March 23, 2020 due to the onset of Covid-19.
“This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” the DGCA order said.
Just before Omicron struck, the government had announced a graded resumption of regular flights from December 15, 2021. However, that could not happen and expensive bubble flights remain the only option for travellers till regular ones resume.
There is no clarity yet on when regular internatioanl flights will resume.
While deferring the December 15 reopening, the DGCA had said: “In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course.”
