International flight India ban extended until November 30, 2020

In March 2020, it became apparent that international flights in India will not operate anytime soon. Since then, Air India has been operating repatriation flights, and people have been paying crazy money all the tickets they can for their emergency to fly back home, while an International flight India ban has been existing of sorts. In the meanwhile, other countries such as the USA started indicating their displeasure with Vande Bharat flights.

Now, a new order has been passed by the Government of India, as a part of their plan to open up the lockdown. The new order notifies that airlines operating commercial flights to/from India will not be able to perform any flights till further notice. In an earlier ruling, the international flights were limited until October 31, 2020. Here is the page that refers to these guidelines on this International Flight India Ban for the moment. These guidelines have now been extended till November 2020.

a document with text on it

If you notice right in the centre, it says

International air travel of passengers, except as permitted by MHA

This has been followed up by a circular from DGCA which will have another extension on the date of the ban on international air travel.

international flight ban india

I gather this would be targetted to clarify to the other airlines operating to India about the timing of how long they should not be planning operations to India. The really bad news is, the decision is postponed, and there is no final timeline of opening up Commercial international aviation, and it could go on longer. On the other hand, DGCA has also refused some air bubbles the permits they need to fly into India, like with Lufthansa.

Bottomline

There has been a lot of leniencies that has been put in place with the air-bubbles that have been set up for months. However,  this does not permit everyone in India to go wherever they want whenever they want subject to being approved by the other country to enter their country.  The only liberties are in travelling to the USA, UK and some other countries for now.

What do you make of this International Flight India ban?


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About Ajay

Ajay Awtaney is the Founder and Editor of Live From A Lounge (LFAL), a pioneering digital platform renowned for publishing news and views about aviation, hotels, passenger experience, loyalty programs, travel trends and frequent travel tips for the Global Indian. He is considered the Indian authority on business travel, luxury travel, frequent flyer miles, loyalty credit cards and travel for Indians around the globe. Ajay is a frequent contributor and commentator on the media as well, including ET Now, BBC, CNBC TV18, NDTV, Conde Nast Traveller and many other outlets.

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Comments

  1. Sorry to say, that by issuing this new order by the Government of India it is clear indication that it’s, as a part of their plan to just looting money from their own helpless citizens in the name of VBM . Why Indian government not allowing other international flight to enter India if Airindia can go and come back then what’s the problem. Only problem is loot.

  2. It is not clear from this for those who have purchase air ticket from India to USA for November 2020 and having visiting visa are allowed to travel to New York. Kindly clarify

    • I have purchasedAir India flt tkt for Nov 2020 from New DELHI to Newark USA.I have tourist visa.
      Request confirm whether the ban now imposed will affect the air move.

  3. Hungary just extended the lockdown of their country for another month.
    Everyone continues to extend restrictions.
    Hotels and airlines continue to extend specials.
    Who goes broke first: the governments or the private businesses?

    This virus is never going away. it’s not just an issue of ‘certain voters’ not wearing masks, despite the fact that that’s what been painted for you. Once it becomes accepted that 1) the virus is permanent, and 2) you can catch it more than once and (here’s the biggie) 3) no safe vaccine can be developed, then a choice will have to be made – either go full Sweden or restrict the free movement of humanity indefinitely.

    • Who goes broke first: the governments or the private businesses?

      Tough question, I know. Here’s a hint:
      Which one can print money, and which one cannot?

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