Int'l flights to remain suspended in India until Oct 31

Commercial international flights to and from India shall remain suspended until Oct. 31, officials said on Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

According to a circular issued by the country's civil aviation watchdog Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday evening, the restriction shall not be applicable for international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the DGCA.

"In partial modification of circular dated June 26, 2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject (Travel and Visa restrictions related to COVID-19) regarding scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till 23:59 (local time) of Oct. 31, 2021," the order issued by the DGCA said.

"However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis."

Commercial flights were suspended when the country imposed a complete nationwide lockdown in late March last year to contain the spread of the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.

Domestic flights resumed operations in India on May 25 last year after nearly two months of suspension. International flights continue to remain suspended.

However, Indian authorities have been operating special international flights since May last year and under bilateral "air bubble" arrangements with select countries since July last year.