India extends ban on international flights till Sept 30

In a recent travel update, the Indian government has extended its ban on scheduled international flights till September 30, 2021. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) made the announcement on Sunday that the COVID-induced passenger flights suspension has been extended till September end. 

The DGCA further said, "However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis."

 

Apparently, the ban on international flights was supposed to end on August 31, 2021. International passenger flights were suspended in India on March 23, 2020 due to the pandemic. But the Indian government started the Vande Bharat Mission in May 2020 to help people stuck in other countries. India also established bilateral air bubbles with selected countries from July 2020. 
 

DGCA further informed that dedicated cargo flights and flights under the bilateral air bubble pacts with select nations will continue to operate. 

The DGCA in its circular also state, "In a partial modification on a circular dated June 26, 2021, the competent authority has further extended the validity of the circular issued on the subject cited above regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger service to/from India till 2359 hrs IST of 30th September 2021".