By Aritra Banerjee
Scheduled international commercial passenger services both to and from India remain suspended from 22/3/20 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation vide circular dated 19/1/22 has extended the suspension till 28/2/2022.
This ban applies to all countries. However, international flights under ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ (including air bubble arrangements) are operational; This was conveyed through the Ministry of Civil Aviation through a press release issued on the decision.
“Flights under the air bubble arrangement will continue until the scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India remain suspended. As of 1/2/22, India has air bubble arrangements with 35 countries,” the press release read.
The countries with which India has air bubble agreements are: Afghanistan, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Canada, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Iraq, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Maldives, Mauritius, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Oman, Qatar, Rwanda, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Tanzania, UAE, UK, Ukraine, USA, and Uzbekistan
“The government periodically reviews the existing air bubble arrangements. It formalises new air travel bubble arrangements after considering the Covid-19 situation, the passenger demand, and risk factor assessment with the concerned country after concurrence with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare,” the civil aviation ministry added.
“The estimated losses incurred by airlines in India in the financial year 2020-21 is approximate Rs.19,564 crore. Corrective measures taken by the government include formalising 35 air bubble arrangements with foreign countries, which allows the Indian carriers to operate international flights to/from these countries,” MoCA revealed.
In addition, as per the information received from the National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company Limited (NCGTC), borrowers from the aviation sector have availed of guarantee support under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) which has been extended up to March 2023.
