When international flights will start in India 2021,Amid growing worries about the new Covid-19 variation, Omicron, the centre decided on Wednesday not to begin scheduled foreign flights on December 15, less than a week after announcing the date. According to a senior government official, the effective date of resumption is currently “in abeyance,” and a new date will be announced in due time.
Evolving Global Scenario
“In light of the evolving global scenario and the emergence of new variants of concern,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in an order Wednesday. “The situation is being closely monitored in consultation with all stakeholders, and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course.”
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Friday that after a 21-month hiatus, international scheduled commercial flights will return on December 15. The decision was reached in cooperation with the ministries of health, foreign affairs, and home affairs, according to the ministry at the time.
Following the disclosure last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested that government authorities reassess plans for relaxing foreign travel restrictions in light of mounting worries about the new Covid variant initially discovered in South Africa at a review meeting on Covid-19 preparation. Following that, on Sunday, a meeting convened by the home secretary decided that the date will be reconsidered in light of the changing global situation.
Foreign Travel
Travel from southern African nations such as South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, as well as travel from other places where the new variation has been found, is being restricted in several countries. South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Malawi have been barred from entering the United States since Monday.
Similarly, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several EU countries have imposed travel restrictions on South Africans and their neighbours.