India backtracks on plans to resume regular commercial flights
The government had previously said international flights would return on 15 December
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced that it has postponed plans to resume regular international commercial flights on 15 December.
The civil aviation regulator released a statement on 1 December, stating that: “In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new [Omicron] variant of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all the stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course.”
India reported its first two cases of the Omicron variant on Thursday.
The decision effectively reverses a government decision announced on 26 November to restore regular international flights to countries deemed to pose a low risk of Covid infection. India has heavily restricted scheduled international passenger flights since the start of its first coronavirus lockdown on 23 March 2020.
The uncertainty regarding the return of flights comes ahead of the traditionally busy winter holiday season, which accounted for more than 60 per cent of the US$30 billion of income earned in India from foreign travellers. India’s tourism industry accounts for approximately nine per cent of the country’s total GDP.
According to Aashish Gupta, Consulting CEO of the Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality, talking to Fortune: “We are in the middle of the peak season right now. We just hope that the government takes a decision after giving weightage to both health and economic issues.”
Approximately 40 countries have now imposed new travel or border restrictions following the identification of the Omicron Covid variant in southern Africa last month.