International Flights From August? Air India’s New Flights To Germany, Toronto, Singapore Starts

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had tweeted on July 3, that it is extending the suspension of commercial international flights in the country till July 31. 

On the other hand, the Vande Bharat Mission’s phase 4 now will end on July 31 as well wherein Air India has added extra flights to Germany, Singapore and Canada.

The above announcements indicate two possibilities, in August, the Centre will open the skies for scheduled international passenger flights or phase 5 of the mega repatriation mission will commence.

Read on to find out more…

International Passenger Flights Might Commence From August, 2020!

On March 25, the government had announced a nation-wide lockdown and had also announced suspension of all air travel- international and domestic. 

On May 25, the government commenced the scheduled domestic flights with capacity constraints. Domestic air travel was allowed with one-third of the original capacity of the air carriers. The same domestic flight model is likely to be implemented  for international air travel as well. 

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had on June 20 said, “We can start regular international flights when our domestic traffic reaches about 50-60% and  other countries open up to international traffic without present conditionalities. Once the situation evolves in that direction we will consider a calibrated opening.” 

However  a recent order issued by the ministry stated that, “One Third (1/3) capacity may be read as 45% capacity.” The industry experts and airline management are assuming that by July end, it might be raised to 60%.

Hence, DGCA and Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) might announce commencement of scheduled international flights as early as the first week of August, 2020. 

Air India Operating Total Of 9 Additional Flights to Singapore, Germany and Canada!

With two-way flights already started between India and the UAE, the negotiations are underway with countries like the US, France, Germany to open green corridors. 

On June 23, MoCA had said “we are looking at the prospect of establishing individual bilateral bubbles, India-US, India-France, India-Germany, India-UK.”  Hardeep Singh Puri  said, “This morning, I took a brief from the key point person (from the MOCA) who is negotiating with the countries, and he said that we are in constant touch. We are working on a consensus to restart the international flights. This is going to be through air bubbles.”

Under the repatriation mission, Air India is set to operate 4 additional flights from July 19 to July 22 from  Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai to Singapore. The bookings will open on July 13 from 12 PM.

Air India will operate 2 additional flights on July 21 and July 23 from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi to Frankfurt, Germany. Bookings will open on July 13 from 2 PM.

The national carrier will operate 3 additional flights from July 18 to July 25 from  Delhi, Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Mumbai, Kochi and Bengaluru to Toronto. Bookings will open on 13th July from 5 PM.