Aviation regulator DGCA on Friday said the suspension of scheduled international flights to and from the country has been extended till August 31 amid the coronavirus pandemic. But DGCA approved repatriation flights and flights within designated ‘travel-bubbles’ will continue.
The suspension of scheduled international commercial services was till July 31. In the wake of the pandemic, overseas flights were suspended in late March, while cargo flights and those approved by the DGCA have been permitted to operate. In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said the government has decided to “extend the suspension on the Scheduled International Commercial Passenger Services to/from India up to 2359 hours IST of 31st August”.
However, this restriction would not applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA. During the suspension period, more than 2,500 repatriation flights by foreign carriers to uplift stranded passengers to from India have been approved, the statement said. Under the Vande Bharat Mission, Air India and Air India Express have uplifted 2,67,436 stranded passengers, and other charters have uplifted 4,86,811 stranded passengers during May 6 to July 30 period, it added.
As part of allowing gradual movement of passenger traffic amid the pandemic situation, ‘Transport Bubble’ agreements have been signed with the US, France, and Germany. “Recently, ‘Transport Bubble’ agreement has also been signed with Kuwait to uplift stranded passenger both to/ from India. More similar arrangements are likely to fructify and ease passenger movements from different countries,” the statement said. Such bilateral agreements allow operation of flights between the two countries subject to a set of regulations.
International flight services to and from India remain suspended since March 23 due to the pandemic. Earlier, DGCA had on July 3 extended the ban on international flights until July 31 after it was suspended till July 15. According to senior government officials, the ban was extended because it was felt that it would take some more time for India to prepare before it can resume scheduled international operations.
Domestic passenger flight services resumed in the country from May 25, two months after the announcement of the lockdown and suspension of all scheduled commercial passenger flights in India.
Just four days back, SpiceJet had announced that it will start long-haul operations linking Amsterdam in the Netherlands with Bengaluru from August 1. The airline said that it had received Directorate General for Development Cooperation permission last week to fly to Europe and the United States of America. But it was not made clear whether this flight was to be operated under ‘travel-bubble’ arrangement or as a repatriation flight. Indian yet not have any travel bubble arrangement with Netherlands.
SpiceJet recently added B737- MAX 8 aircraft to its fleet. The airline operates a fleet of Boeing and Q-400s. The new-generation Boeing 737-700s, 737-800s, and 737-900ERs with winglets allow for safe, comfortable, and efficient flying for short- to medium-haul flights, while the Q400s are designed for short-haul routes.