International Commercial Flights Suspension Extended Again

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the suspension of international commercial flights till 30 November 2020, amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"However, the international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis," the Indian aviation regulator said in a circular.

The DGCA also stated that the above restrictions will not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specially approved by it.

The scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since 25 March due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating under the Vande Bharat Mission since May and under the bilateral 'air bubble' arrangements with selected countries since July.

The extension comes amid a re-surge in COVID-19 cases in the West.

The United States, Russia, France and other countries have been reporting a record number of coronavirus infections in the wave of new cases washing over parts of the Northern Hemisphere.

In Europe, a string of countries have reported a record increase in cases, led by France, which posted 50,000 daily cases for the first time on Sunday. The continent passed the threshold of 250,000 deaths.