New Delhi, June 30 (TIWN) India on Wednesday extended the suspension on international commercial flight operations till July 31, 2021.

Scheduled international flights were suspended on March 23, 2020, and the severity of the pandemic has meant that even after 16 months there is no sign of the same resuming anytime in a hurry. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an order Wednesday extending the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services to/from India till 11.59 pm (India time) of July 31, 2021. “This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” the order says. It adds that “international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis.” In the last one year, India has been operating Vande Bharat Mission flights to many places and has so far formed air bubbles with some countries. During the second Covid catastrophe surge starting mid-April, about 20 countries have imposed restrictions like flight suspensions from India or stricter entry norms for travellers from here.