India might resume international flights by year-end

India is expected to resume regular international flights, which have remained suspended for more than 20 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic, by the end of this year, the country's Civil Aviation Ministry Secretary Rajiv Bansal said today.

Scheduled international passenger flights to and from India have remained suspended since March 2020 and the curb was recently extended till November 30.

Normalisation of international flights is expected "very soon" and by the end of this year, our New Delhi correspondent reports quoting Bansal.

While the daily rise in new coronavirus infections across India has been below 20,000 for 47 straight days, Europe is witnessing a big surge in the infections, causing worries among operators of airlines in India.

Currently, India has air bubble arrangements with more than 25 countries for operating international flights.

Under an air bubble arrangement between two countries, international passenger flights can be operated by their respective carriers into each other's territories subject to certain conditions.

Last week, Indian Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had said India was evaluating the process for normalising international operations keeping in mind the pandemic situation in certain parts of the world.

"I am all for regaining our space in the civil aviation arena in the world and making a hub in India and for more wide body aircraft. We will get there but bear with me and trust me; I am on your side. We will work together but in a safe environment," he had said.