India likely to allow normalisation of international flights by April

India’s Aviation ministry is in discussion with the Home and Health departments on resuming operations of regular international flights by March-April, as per reports.

The scheduled international passenger flights ban has been in place in India since March 23, 2020.
The scheduled international passenger flights ban has been in place in India since March 23, 2020. Photo courtesy: Twiitter/@KrishiRai1

Scheduled international passenger flights to and from India have been suspended till February 28 due to COVID-19.

The government is considering resuming international flights by March-April. The report said final decision on resumption of regular international flights is yet to be taken.

The scheduled international passenger flights ban has been in place in India since March 23, 2020.

However, special passenger flights have been operating between India and approximately 40 countries since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements formed with them.

India currently has air transport bubbles with Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, US and Uzbekistan.

Last week, the Ministry of Health issued a statement and informed that besides uploading negative RT-PCR report (taken 72 hrs prior to journey), the option to upload certificate of completing full primary vaccination schedule of Covid- vaccination provided from countries on a reciprocal basis.

“All travellers will self-monitor their health for the next 14 days of arrival. If travellers under self-health monitoring, develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19, they will immediately self-isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call National helpline number (1075)/ State Helpline Number,” the ministry said.