Commercial international travel services to and from India to resume, and air bubble arrangements to cease.
India to resume regular international travel services from the 27th March, 2022, two years after it was suspended due to the COVID pandemic. Read ahead for details.
Considering the increased vaccination coverage across the world and in consultation with the stakeholders, the Government of India has decided to resume scheduled commercial international passenger services to and from India, from the 27th of March, 2022.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had suspended commercial international passenger services between India and other countries two years ago since the 23rd March 2020, to prevent spreading of Covid-19.
While regular international air travel was thus suspended, temporary Air Travel arrangements or “International Air Transport Bubbles” were made between India and other countries, during this period. These temporary arrangements were aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the official statement by Ministry of Civil Aviation, the suspension of scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India stands extended only up to the 26th of March 2022, 23:59 hrs IST. It also mentions that the existing air bubble arrangements shall accordingly be extended up to this extent only.
This means that international passenger services including scheduled commercial flights between India and other countries will resume thereafter. This also means that the existing “International Air Transport Bubbles” will be subsequently stopped, as the regular flights and travel services between India and other countries will resume from March 27th.
But this does not mean that the COVID-related guidelines are now going away for international arrivals. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare's updated guidelines for international travel still apply for international travellers. These updated guidelines will be amended and updated from time to time.
Here's where to find the updated guidelines for international arrivals to India >
[1] Scheduled commercial international passenger services to/from India to resume from 27.03.2022 - Ministry of Civil Aviation, on Press Information Bureau.
[2] MoHFW - Travel Advisories - MoHFW - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Govt. of India.