NEW DELHI, Nov 26: International flights to India will be resumed from December 15 but the number of flights from each country to be permitted will depend on the health risk status of each country, an official spokesman said.
“The competent authority has decided to resume the scheduled commercial international passenger services to/ from India with effect from 15th December, 2021,” Ministry of Civil Aviation said in an order issued today. “Due to prevailing COVID-19 situation, the capacity entitlements shall be as per the category of countries based on enlistment of countries as at-risk from time to time by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” it said.
Countries excluded from the Health Ministry’s list of “at risk” nations will be allowed 100% of pre-COVID 19 flights. These include countries like the U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Countries that are in the “at risk” list but with whom India has an air bubble arrangement will be allowed 75% of pre-COVID-19 capacity. These include countries like the U.K., France, Germany, Netherlands, Singapore.
Countries that are in the “at risk” list but with whom India doesn’t have an air bubble will be allowed only 50% of pre-COVID flights. These include South Africa, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Israel.
(Manas Dasgupta)
