India to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services from March 27

The air bubble arrangement with other countries will cease to operate from 12 midnight on March 26 and normal scheduled commercial international passenger operation will resume from 12 am onward on March 27.

Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced it in a statement on March 8. “In order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended operations of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India with effect from 23rd March 2020 vide circular dated 19.03.2020, “ the statement said.

So the normal international operations are starting after almost two years. Now scheduled flights will depart to other countries and vice versa.

The Ministry said, “Currently, in terms of DGCA’s circular 28.02.2022, suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India has been extended till further orders.”

The Ministry said that the decision has been taken on the basis of increased vaccine coverage in almost every country.

It said, “After having recognized the increased vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India from 27.03.2022, i.e. start of Summer Schedule 2022.”

“The suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India, thus, stands extended only upto 2359 hrs IST on 26.03.2022 and air bubble arrangements shall accordingly be extended to this extent only,” it added.

The Ministry has also said that the international operations shall be subject to strict adherence to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare guidelines for international travel dated 10.02.2022 and as amended from time to time.