NEW DELHI, Dec 2 (NNN-PTI) – Speculations are rife in the Indian media about a possible delay in resumption of international flights, due to the new COVID-19 variant of Omicron. India declared last month, to resume international flights from Dec 15.
“In the wake of the concerns sparked by the Omicron variant, India is unlikely to resume international passenger flights from Dec 15, as had been decided earlier,” said a report.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), yesterday said, it was watching the situation closely, in the wake of its decision to resume scheduled international passenger flights.
“In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variants of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders,” the DGCA said.
Scheduled international flights to and from India have remained suspended in India, since Mar 23 last year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Special international passenger flights have been operating since July last year, under air bubble arrangements formed with 31 countries.
The DGCA said, “An appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course.”
On Nov 28, the federal government said, it would take a decision on the effective date to resume flights, after reviewing the “evolving global scenario” over concerns relating to the Omicron variant.
This decision came, after the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared Omicron a variant of concern.– NNN-PTI
