India Extends Restriction on Passenger Airway Services till May 31; International Cargo to Continue

New Delhi: Amidst the obstreperous effect of the second wave of coronavirus, the Director-General of Civil Aviation on Friday revised the suspension of scheduled international flights from 30 April to 31 May.

 However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis,” the DGCA said in a circular.  The conveyance of international cargo operations and flights was allowed, which were specifically around by the aviation regulator. 

All scheduled passenger carryings jets have been suspended in India since 23 May last year due to the outbreak. However, special flights were operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since then to aid tourist Indian citizens across the globe. Those carriers have been under bilateral “air bubble” arrangements with selected countries since July. 

Earlier this week, Australia temporarily restricted passengers on direct flights from India after the capital battles a catastrophe. 

Subsequently, the US, Canada, UAE and Britain also banned flights from the Indian Subcontinent in response to the spiralling COVID infections in India.

The country welcomed its first aid from the US today morning in Delhi. Several other countries including the UK, UAE and KSA have also sent in their share of support.  

 The huge spike in infections has precipitated restrictive measures, night curfews in certain states. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation this month, urged state governments to use lockdowns as an absolute “last resort”. The country has crossed the grim milestone of 2,00,000 Covid deaths.