New Delhi: Following a two-year ban on regular international flights, India resumed regular international air service on Sunday (March 27). India halted international flights on March 23, 2020, to prevent the spread of the novel Coronavirus. 

Flights were, however, is operated via bilateral air bubble agreements between India and 35 countries.

India suspended international flight operations for two weeks, but the restriction was extended. Overseas flight service began in July 2020, but only under bilateral air bubble agreements with several countries. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) had indicated that regular international flight service would resume on December 15, 2021, but that decision had to be postponed due to an increase in COVID cases caused by the virus's mutation. The subsequent conflict between Russia and Ukraine caused the centre to postpone the service even further, and it has now begun.

According to the Director-General of Civil Aviation, 60 airlines from 40 countries have been granted permission to operate 1,783 frequencies to/from India during the summer schedule, which will be in place from March 27 to October 29.

Six Indian airlines have been permitted a total of 1,466 international departures; the DGCA said, adding that these airlines will operate to 43 destinations in 27 countries. Aside from that, other foreign airlines, including Virgin Atlantic, LOT Polish, and Emirates, have declared their intention to operate flights to and from India.

Among the foreign carriers, Emirates will operate 170 flights each week. 140 flights will be operated by Air Arabia. A source said United Airlines and American Airlines, both based in the United States, will operate 28 and 7 flights per week, respectively.

German-based Lufthansa will offer 32 flights, British Airways will run 49 departures, and Air France will operate 20 flights per week. Oman Air decided to run 115 flights. Malaysia Airlines has 30 flights and Sri Lanka Airlines will operate 128 flights per week. Thai Smile will run 21 and Thai Airways will conduct 21 flights each week, said sources.

The Airport Authority of India has revised COVID guidelines for flyers a day before the restart of regular international flight service and, according to them, the crew of the international flights does not need to wear personal protection equipment (PPE) and the restriction of leaving three seats unoccupied on international flights has been eliminated under the updated COVID-19 standards. While wearing masks at airports remains necessary, the pat-down search by security staff has been reinstated, according to the authorities.