Scheduled international flights which were suspended following the outbreak of covid-19 in 2020, will be allowed to operate from 27 March. Globe Aware volunteers can resume any potential summer plans for a volunteer vacation in India.

India set to restart scheduled int’l flights from 27 Mar

The resumption of scheduled international flights comes amidst a rise in search queries for popular international tourist destinations.

Mar 9 2022
Rhik Kundu

India suspended scheduled flights in March 2020. However, flights with some countries continued under air bubble pacts

“After having recognized the increased vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with stakeholders, the government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India from 27.03.2022, i.e., the start of the summer schedule 2022,” the ministry of civil aviation said in a statement.

International flights have to strictly adhere to the guidelines of the ministry of health and family welfare.

“After deliberation with all stakeholders &keeping in view the decline in the #COVID19 caseload, we have decided to resume international travel from Mar 27 onwards. Air bubble arrangements will also stand revoked thereafter. With this step, I’m confident the sector will reach new heights!,” civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a Twitter post.

India had suspended scheduled international flights on 23 March 2020. However, flights with some countries continued under bilateral air bubble agreements.

Currently, India has air bubble agreements with 37 countries, including Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, the UK, and the US.

The suspension of scheduled international flights was reviewed every month till 30 November, before the government announced the resumption of services on 26 November, but had to roll back days later following the third wave of covid-19 infections.

However, a sharp decline in covid cases and a rise in domestic travel prompted the government’s decision to resume international flights.

Air traffic on domestic routes grew 19% sequentially to 7.6 million in February, said Icra on Tuesday. “One major concern that continues to be a drag on the sector is aviation turbine fuel prices, which have seen a sharp increase of about 57% on a Y-o-Y basis till March 2022,” it added.

“This is great news for travellers and the industry, especially before the peak summer season,” said Aloke Bajpai, co-founder and group CEO of online travel platform ixigo.