India: International flights to resume from March 27

India, after a gap of two years, lifted the ban on international flights.The overseas flights, suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, will be available from March 27. In a statement, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday said that the move comes in view of increased vaccination coverage against Covid-19 across the world and after consultation with the stakeholders. Air Bubble arrangements  - which allow two countries to operate flights into each other's territories subject to certain conditions - also stand revoked, announced Civil Aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The Bubble arrangement hurt airlines' operations and their profitability.

After deliberation with stakeholders &keeping in view the decline in the #COVID19 caseload,we have decided to resume international travel from Mar 27 onwards.Air Bubble arrangements will also stand revoked thereafter.With this step,I’m confident the sector will reach new heights!

— Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) March 8, 2022

The current suspension of international flight operations will stay in effect till 11.59pm of March 26, the statement further stated. The services were first suspended on March 23, 2020 soon after the Covid-19 pandemic. The international operations, said the Aviation Ministry, will have to follow the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare guidelines for international travel.