NEW DELHI :
The Indian government has rolled back plans to resume scheduled international flight operations from 15 December, five days after making the announcement, following the emergence of the Omicron coronavirus mutant.
“In the view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services will be notified in due course,” civil aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a notification on Wednesday.
A copy of the circular has been reviewed by Mint.
India suspended international flight operations, effective 23 March 2020. This was periodically extended every month till 30 November, before the government on 26 November announced plans to resume scheduled international flight services.
Prior to 26 November, international flights operated between India and other countries under bilateral air bubble agreements.
India currently has air bubble agreements with as many as 30 countries—from Afghanistan and Bangladesh to Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, the UAE, UK and US, among the others.
“Resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services with effect from 15 December 2021 would imply reversion…
