India will resume scheduled commercial international flights from December 15th, 2021, an official statement from the Civil Aviation Ministry said on Friday.
The Civil Aviation Ministry stated in an order that scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India can be resumed from December 15, 2021, in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The countries with separate capacity restrictions have been categorised into 3 categories based on the countries recognised as at risk by MoHFW.
According to sources, the full resumption of international flights will take place barring 14 countries, but existing air-bubble flight arrangements with these 14 countries will continue, according to news agency ANI.
India has formed air-bubble pacts with around 28 countries, including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France. Special international flights can be operated between their territories with specific restrictions under an air-bubble pact between two countries.
Since March last year, international passenger flights to and from India have been suspended due to the coronaviruses epidemic. There is a suspension on scheduled international flights until November 30th.
The Civil Aviation Secretary said that the country may resume scheduled international flight operations very soon and is expected to resume by the end of the year.