Although the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India has extended the ban on international flights from India, some flights continue to operate. Here’s how. By Bayar Jain
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In a circular released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India via a tweet on their official handle, the ban on international flights from India has been extended to November 30. However, this time, this ban comes with some relief. As per the circular, this extended restriction does not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by the regulatory body. Essentially, this refers to all the Vande Bharat flights that are currently operating between missions as part of the large-scale repatriation efforts.
The circular further adds that international scheduled flights on select routes will also be allowed to function on a case-to-case basis. This points to the various air bubbles India has formed with countries all over the world.
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Over the past few months, India has formalised air bubbles with various countries. An air bubble, or transport bubbles, are temporary arrangements formed between two countries to help restart aviation operations that have been halted owing to the pandemic. As per the Civil Aviation official website, India has formed air bubbles of various degrees with multiple countries. This ever-evolving list currently includes Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Maldives, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Tanzania, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
With respect to visa-related norms, the Indian government has outlined a graded visa relaxation procedure, states a press release by the Ministry of Home Affairs. As per this release, all Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cardholders, Person Of Indian Origin (PIO) cardholders, and all foreign nationals intending to visit or depart from India for reasons other than tourism are free to do so by air or water routes, provided it is via government authorised airports and seaports. Medical visas, including those for medical attendants, have also been restored.