As per the new guidelines issued under Unlock 5.0, the Union Home Ministry announced that international air travel will remain suspended till October 31, except those that are being permitted by the Centre. All international flights to and from India were suspended on March 23, and the suspension was later extended till September 30 in the Unlock 4.0 guidelines. And now, the dates have been pushed further.
The government will, however, continue to operate international flights as per the Air Bubble pact with as many as 13 different countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates Germany, France, and more.
Soon after the guidelines for Unlock 5 were out, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an order and extended the suspension on scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till October 31.
Apart from the international flights operating under air bubble pacts and the Vande Bharat Mission, India is currently operating domestic flights and cargo flights to facilitate travel of people and movement of goods across the country. Although domestic flights were also banned initially, the government gradually started reopening the domestic routes in a phased manner, allowing operations at 35 per cent capacity of the actual capacity.