Which International Flights are Open in India Post Unlock 5.0

According to the Aviation sector regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the ban on the operation of regular international flights has been extended till 31st October, 2020.

The DGCA also mentioned that international flights may be permitted to run on selected routes by the competent authority. It will depend on case to case basis.

Regular international flights have been banned since the lockdown imposed on March 23, 2020 to limit the spread of the Coronavirus.

India has entered into a special bilateral flight agreement (Air Bubble Pact) with 15 countries – United States, UK, Canada, UAE, Qatar, Nigeria, Maldives, Kenya, Japan, Iraq, Germany, France, Bhutan, Bahrain, and Afghanistan.

Airlines from both countries under an air bubble pact fly between the two jurisdictions carrying passengers from either point.

The DGCA clarified in its circular that this ban will continue only on regular international passenger flights. This will not affect the operation of all the cargo flights and get special permission.

Additionally, Indian carriers are also operating certain flights under Vande Bharat Mission — a few of which are carrying people on outbound flights from India.

Under the air bubble arrangement with the US, Air India has added thrice-a-week flights between Delhi and Newark.

Visa Guidelines:

According to visa outsourcing firm VFS Global, visa applications for 25 countries have been resumed with a few countries opening up the application process for select categories.

Europe’s Schengen Region

Only Category D visa applications are accepted, allowed to individuals studying, working, or staying permanently in one of the Schengen countries.
Several countries in the Schengen region like Germany and Estonia are also accepting Category C visas, which are meant for short visits.