International flights remain suspended till July 31, DGCA may allow some planes on select routes

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today has decided to suspend all the international flight operations in the country till July 31. Earlier, the aviation regulator had cancelled the international flights till July 15. However, the DGCA may permit international flights on some selected routes during this period. "The international scheduled flights may be allowed on select routes on a case-to-case basis," said the aviation regulator.

India suspended all the domestic and international flight services in the last week of March. The domestic flights have started operations in limited routes after a gap of two months in May. The domestic airlines have ferried close to two million passengers since then, a senior government official earlier said.

The international passenger flight services in the country will resume in a phased manner during 'Unlock 2.0', the ministry of home affairs said on Monday. "International air travel of passengers has been permitted in a limited manner under the Vande Bharat mission. Further opening-up will take place in a calibrated manner," the central government said in a statement.

To bring back the abandoned Indians from over the world, the focal government began Vande Bharat Mission on May 7. Air India and a few other private household aircrafts have been working trips under this repatriation strategic. Over 4.75 lakh Indians have come back to India from abroad since it has begun, the service of outside issues said on Thursday. 

"As on July 1, against an all outnumber of 5,83,109 individuals who enrolled their solicitations with our missions abroad for



repatriation to India, more than 4,75,000 have returned under this crucial," of outer issues Anurag Srivastava said. 

The Vande Bharat Mission has entered its fourth stage from Thursday onwards. "Under Phase-IV of the Vande Bharat Mission, we will be working in excess of 500 flights. This incorporates both Air India and private bearers who are sloping up their tasks in a major manner," Srivastava said.

In a tweet, the civil aviation Ministry said, "Private Airlines will have significant participation in Phase-4 of VBM. Among others, IndiGo will operate 238 flights from Qatar & 219 flights from Kuwait; while GoAir will operate 41 flights from Kuwait. The number of Pvt carriers, flights & destinations likely to increase."

Under the fourth phase of the mission, Air India will send 114 flights to 17 countries across the world. These countries are Canada, the US, the UK, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa, Russia, Australia, Myanmar, Japan, Ukraine and Vietnam.

VFS Global, a visa outsourcing and technology services provider for governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, is all set to resume visa application services in India. Travellers will be able to apply for specific visa categories for Belarus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, South Korea, Turkey, UAE, and the United Kingdom.

"After specific embassies or consulates, as well as local authorities, have given their approval, VFS Global's centres will accept visa applications for select countries and visa categories in specific cities," the company said in a statement.