In March 2020, it became obvious that international flights in India will not operate anytime soon. Since then, Air India has been operating repatriation flights and people have been literally paying crazy money all the tickets they can for their emergency to fly back home. In the meanwhile, other countries such as the USA have now 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 July 31, 2020, 1830 GMT, which would translate to midnight India time. In an earlier order, the international flights were limited until July 15, 2020.

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 July 31, 2020, is not a final timeline of opening up Commercial international aviation, and it could go on longer.

However, give the pressure that USA and UAE, amongst other countries, have started to exert, the DGCA has left the door open to allow International Scheduled operations on select routes. I would read it as expect flights to the USA soon. Various authorities have confirmed that there are discussions ongoing with USA/Canada/Middle-East countries to create travel bubbles with them.

Bottomline

Unless one is stuck in India as a foreign citizen and can’t get out on a relief flight being operated at the moment, no one will be able to come in or go out of India through August 1, 2020. Some good news might be on the anvil, however.

What do you make of this International Flight India ban?

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