NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday further extended suspension of scheduled international passenger flights till January 31, 2021. However, restrictions will not apply to special flights and international air cargo operations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in an official release.
“International scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis,” the circular read.
Scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with selected countries since July.
India has formed air bubble pacts with 24 countries including the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories.
Earlier in the day, flights between India and UK were suspended till January 7 in wake of the new and more infectious strain of coronavirus.
(With inputs from PTI)