International flight services may resume by end of this year: Indian government
India has formed air-bubble pacts with around 28 countries
International flight services, which were suspended owing to the Covid pandemic, could resume operations in India towards the year-end, government officials said on Wednesday.
The Indian government has been allowing commercial flights on a case-to-case basis till now.
Civil Aviation Secretary Rajiv Bansal said that international flight services are expected to be normalised “very soon” and “by the end of this year”.
All scheduled international flights were suspended since March 2020 during the pandemic. The suspension was then extended till November 30.
Recently, civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had said that the government was keen to resume normal international travel operations, but in a safe environment.
“I am all for regaining our space in the civil aviation arena in the world and making a hub in India and for more wide body aircraft. We will get there but bear with me and trust me, I am on your side. We will work together but in a safe environment," he had said.
India has formed air-bubble pacts with around 28 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 with specific restriction.
Earlier this month,India and Singaporeagreed to resume commercial flights. The Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) programme between the countries will allow quarantine-free travel. Six flights from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai are scheduled to resume from November 29.
(With inputs from agencies)