India to resume regular international flights from 27 March

Regular international flight operations will resume from 27 March and will follow the standard operating procedures effective at Indian airports for foreign arrivals and departure, the government said on Tuesday.

Given the consistent decline in Covid-19 cases, the decision to resume scheduled international flights after a two years hiatus due to coronavirus has been taken by the civil aviation ministry.

"After having recognised the increased vaccination coverage across the globe and in consultation with the stakeholders, the government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services," the ministry of civil aviation said in a statement.

In a statement, the MoCA said that international operations from 27 March will be subject to strict adherence to Union health ministry guidelines that were issued on 10 February.

"After having recognised 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 March 27, 2022, i.e. start of summer schedule 2022," it said.

The suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India, thus, stands extended only up to 23:59 hrs (Indian standard time) on March 26, 2022, and air bubble arrangements shall accordingly be extended to this extent only, the MoCA said.

Scheduled international flight services have remained suspended in India since 23 March, 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

However, special passenger flights have been functioning between India and around 40 countries since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements.