In view of the coronavirus situation, the Indian government has decided to extend the ban on international flights till June end. According to the latest notification of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the ban on international flights will now continue until 30 June 2021. Last month, the ban was extended till 31 May.
The notification states that this restriction will not affect international cargo flights and flights permitted by the DGCA. Apart from this, all scheduled flights with Vande Bharat Mission and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements fly as before. Flights may be permitted on certain international routes after the approval of the agencies concerned. In a circular, DGCA said, "In partial modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject cited above regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs 1ST of 30th June, 2021."
In view of the COVID-19 outbreak, the central government banned domestic and international flights on 23 March last year. However, the domestic flights resumed operation from 25 May. But international flights continue to remain suspended. However, the government is carrying out special operations under the Vande Bharat Mission to bring back the stranded Indians.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has banned the increase in fares on domestic flights till 31 May. Earlier, a similar order issued in February. In addition to the fare, the flight has to operate with 80% capacity. Aviation companies had on Sunday appealed to the ministry to reduce the capacity to 60% as the bookings have come down significantly in April.