India resumes international flights after 2 years

Updated guidelines have also been set by the Ministry of Civil Aviation

For the first time since March 2020, India has finally resumed international commercial flights. 

From 27 March onwards, six Indian airlines and 60 foreign airlines will start connecting India with 63 countries, according to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

The Indian Express reported that the new summer schedule — from 27 March to 29 October — indicated that on a weekly basis foreign airlines will operate 1,783 flights 1,466 for Indian carriers. Approximately 4,700 international flight departures were being operated every week before the pandemic hit.

There are also updated guidelines for international travel. The Ministry of Civil Aviation shared that flight cabin crew are no longer required to wear PPE kits, as well as having to keep three seats vacant for medical emergency purposes.

“Airlines may carry a few additional PPE protective gears, sanitiser and N-95 masks, to handle any respiratory infections related to cases on air, for passengers as well as the crew,” the ministry said.

Global Travel Trends Report, a survey conducted by American Express Travel, showed that 94 percent of Indians plan to travel more than they did last year; 91 percent intend to plan their dream vacation, and 87 percent want to book a once-in-a-lifetime vacation this year.

More: The Maldives welcomes more than 359,000 tourists from January to March

Before the pandemic, people used to be 100 percent sure before booking their trips, but according to the survey, 92 percent of respondents are going to make bookings this year, and decide whether to cancel or change later.

According to the study, most tourists look forward to attending music festivals, as well as sports and cultural events. Additionally, 89 percent of travellers postponed travel to large entertainment events last year, but plan to do so this year.

Since January, India has experienced a significant drop in COVID-19 cases. The Johns Hopkins’ Coronavirus Resource Center revealed that 60.6 percent (828,229,455 people) of the country has been fully vaccinated.

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