DGCA Approved 3,249 Weekly Flights To And From 40+ Countries Starting March 27

After being suspended for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian government has recommenced scheduled international flights to/from the country effective today, March 27th, 2022.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has approved the summer schedule for the international operation which allows six Indian airlines and 60 international airlines from over 40 countries to operate 3,249 weekly flights from Sunday.

According to the DGCA, Indian carriers will operate 1,466 flights per week to 43 destinations in 27 countries, while international airlines are allowed to operate 1,783 flights per week.

The Summer Schedule 2022 is effective from March 27, 2022, till October 29, 2022, the DGCA said.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia made the announcement at the Rajya Sabha that the operation of scheduled international passenger flights will be resuming at full capacity.

“All regular international flights will operate in 100 per cent capacity by March 27 as the coronavirus situation in India has improved now,” Jyotiraditya Scindia said.

As per the Summer Scheduled 2022, Indian airlines like Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, Go First and AirAsia India are allowed to operate flights to/from a total of 27 countries which includes UAE, Kuwait, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Qatar, Maldives, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Turkey, Malaysia, UK, France, Kenya, Germany, US, Canada, Myanmar, Australia, Israel, Bahrain, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and Russia.

Foreign airlines approved for operating scheduled service to/from Mauritius, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, US, Iraq, Kenya, Bangladesh, Germany, Singapore, Yemen, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Maldives, Nepal, Iran, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Kuwait, Tanzania, Netherlands, France, Japan, Rwanda, Russia and the UAE.

Notably, Salam Air, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Qantas and American Airlines are among 60 foreign carriers.

However, China is not on this list and no Indian/Foreign carrier is permitted to operate scheduled service to/from Chain under the Summer 2022 schedule.

Summer 2022 Schedule At A Glance

1. 60 foreign airlines from 40 countries have been granted approval to operate 1,783 frequencies to and from India during the ‘Summer Schedule 2022.’
   
2. IndiGo would operate a maximum of 505 departures each week, followed by Air India at 361, Air India Express at 340, SpiceJet at 130, Go First at 74, and Vistara at 56, according to the approved schedule.
   
3. Emirates will have 170 weekly departures, followed by Oman Air with 115, Air Arabia with 110, Qatar Airways with 99, Gulf Air with 82, Etihad Airways with 80, Saudi Arabian Airlines with 63, and Kuwait Airways with 56.
   
4. Similarly, Sri Lanka Airlines will have 128 weekly departures, Singapore Airlines will have 65, British Airways will have 49, Thai Airways will have 36, Lufthansa German will have 32, Malaysia Airlines will have 30, Japan Air Lines will have 22, Air France will have 20, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will have 18 and Aeroflot Russian Airlines will have 6.
   
5. Furthermore, the Centre has permitted carriers such as Salam Air, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, Qantas, and American Airlines to fly to and from India.

A Timeline for the Ban on Scheduled International Commercial Flights

• The ban on scheduled international commercial flights in India was extended last month by India’s civil aviation regulator until “further orders.”

• India announced plans in late 2021 to allow the return of scheduled commercial international passenger services beginning December 15, 2021, subject to certain conditions.

• However, the idea was pushed back because of the global emergence of the third Covid wave.

• To restrict and control the spread of COVID-19, India prohibited international flights on March 23, 2020.

• However, flight restrictions were later relaxed as part of an air bubble agreement with specific countries.