Omicron Fallout: DGCA Postpones Resumption Of International Flights From 15 December; New Date To Be Notified Later

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Indian aviation regulator, on Wednesday (1 December) decided to postpone the resumption of scheduled international flights from 15 December citing 'evolving global scenario' in the wake of the emergence of the new COVID variant.

Earlier last month, the government had decided to normalise international flight operations.

The DGCA's decision comes in the wake of the emergence of new Coronavirus variant 'Omicron', which was detected in South Africa last month and was declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Scheduled international flights to and from India remain suspended since March 2020 following the coronavirus pandemic.

"In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new Variants of Concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders," the DGCA said in a circular on Wednesday.

"An appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course," the aviation regulator added.

(With inputs from PTI)