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India keeps international passenger flights suspended till August 31

Indian citizens evacuated from Dubai by Air India flight, arrive at the Anna International Airport as part of a massive repatriation effort due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, in Chennai on May 9, 2020. – The first wave of a massive exercise to repatriate hundreds of thousands of Indians stuck abroad began May 7, with two flights landing in India from the United Arab Emirates. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images)

By: Shilpa Sharma

INDIA extended the suspension of scheduled international passenger flights till August 31, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Friday (30).

“However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis,” the regulator said.

In the wake of coronavirus pandemic, India has suspended scheduled international passenger services since March 23, 2020, but special flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May 2020 and under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries since July 2020.

India formed air bubble pacts with around 24 countries including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France, as per which special international flights can be operated between their territories.

The suspension will not affect the operation of international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

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