It is yet unclear when the airline will operate these flights
A day after it got the go-ahead to operate flights to the US, low-cost airline SpiceJet has got the rights to start services to the UK.
In a statement to the exchanges on July 24, SpiceJet said, "In continuation of our communication dated July 23, 2020 informing designation for USA operations, we would like to further inform you that in terms of the Air Services Agreement between the Government of India and the Government of the United Kingdom, SpiceJet has been designated as Indian scheduled carrier to operate on agreed services between India and the UK."
In his statement on July 23, Chairman and Managing Director Ajay Singh had said: "This designation would help us plan for our international expansion in a much better and calibrated manner."
Like in the case of the US operations, SpiceJet will be the first Indian private carrier, after the grounding of Jet Airways last year, to operate flights to the UK.
The company though hasn't yet shared details on the routes, or by when it will begin operations.
Though International flights from India remain suspended since the lockdown in March, Air India has been operating flights to the US and Europe under the Vande Bharat Mission, the repatriation exercise.
Later private airlines, including SpiceJet and IndiGo, too joined the exercise and stared operating flights to the Middle East and South East Asia.
After a controversy erupted over US Department of Transportation alleging that the Indian government was not giving clearances to American carriers to operate flights to and from India, changes were brought about.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced Air Bubbles between selected routes. At present, these routes include those to France, UAE, the US, the UK and Germany. Airlines such as United Airlines, Emirates, Air France and Lufthansa have started operations from India.
This is a developing story. Please check back later for more details.