DGCA issues detailed circular for resumption of international flights from Dec.14
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) India has issued a detailed circular for the resumption of Scheduled international flights from December 14.
Earlier the Government had announced that it would resume regular international flights from December 14 on wards barring 14 countries which are still reeling under the increased rates of Covid-19.
As per the circular issued by the DGCA, scheduled international flights will resume for every country barring 14. The DGCA has divided countries into three sectors based on the health ministry’s Covid analysis and accordingly allowed resumption of flights.
Here is what the circular said:
Resumption of scheduled commercial International passenger services to/from India
In the backdrop of the spread of Covid-19, the scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India were suspended with effect from 23rd March 2020 vide circular dated 19-03-2020. The suspension has been extended from time to time and is still in force till 30-11-2021.
The matter has been reviewed and the competent authority has decided to resume the scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India with effect from 15? December 2021. Accordingly, the scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India shall remain suspended till 2359 hours 1ST of 14’h December, 2021.
Resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services with effect from 15? December 2021 would imply reversion to bilaterally agreed capacity entitlements and termination of air bubble arrangements. However, due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation, the capacity entitlements shall be as per the category of countries based on the enlistment of countries as “at-risk” from time to time by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) as per the following criteria:
| S. No. | Category of Country | Capacity entitlements upon resumption of scheduled operations |
| A | Countries enlisted by MoHFW as “at-risk” AND air bubble has been formalized with the country | 75% of pre-Covid operations of Indian or foreign carrier whichever is higher or a minimum of 7 frequencies/week subject to availability of entitlements under the bilateral agreement(s). |
| B | B. Countries enlisted by MoHFW as “at-risk” AND air bubble has not been formalized with the country | 50% of Bilateral capacity entitlements or 50% of pre-Covid operations of Indian or foreign carrier, whichever is higher. |
| C | Countries excluding those enlisted as countries “at-risk” by MoHFW | Full capacity entitlements as per bilateral air service agreements. |
List of Countries Recognized As “At-Risk”
- Countries in Europe including The United Kingdom
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Bangladesh
- Botswana
- China
- Mauritius
- New Zealand
- Zimbabwe
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Israel
The seats under air bubble arrangement which have already been sold by airlines, which are in excess of the capacity entitlements under bilateral ASAs/traffic rights available with the airlines, will be allowed to be operated till 14.12.2021. Such airlines will restrict their operations to capacity entitlements under bilateral ASAs/traffic rights available with the airlines, with effect from 15.12.2021.
All services shall be subject to strict adherence to MoHFW’s guidelines for international travel dated 11.11.2021 as amended from time to time and instructions issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for international travel.
To read the circular the link below:
Resumption-of-scheduled-international-flights-to-and-from-India
