India Eases Covid-19 Travel Rules Ahead of the Resumption of International Flights

As you may be aware, scheduled international passenger flights are set to resume on Sunday, after a more than two-year ban on air travel in and out of the country due to a pandemic.

Ahead of the resumption of scheduled flights to and from India, the government has announced a number of changes to the existing Covid-19 restrictions in airports and on flights.

India Relaxed Covid-19 Travel Rules

As per the new rules announced by the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Cabin crew members are no longer required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, and airport security officers can resume pat-down searches of passengers as needed.

Furthermore, airlines are not required to maintain three seats empty on international flights for medical emergencies.

A recent order issued by the Aviation Ministry stated that “As the frequency of coronavirus cases continues to fall and vaccination rates remain high, the government has relaxed these requirements to allow for the “smooth conduct of air operations.”

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The wearing of protective face masks and the use of hand hygiene/sanitiser is still required at airports and on flights, according to the Centre.

The Aviation Ministry also added that Airlines may carry a few extra PPE protection gears, like sanitiser and N-95 masks, to handle any respiratory infections caused by cases on board, for both passengers and crew.

On March 23, 2020, India suspended all scheduled international flights. Flights were resumed in July of that year through a so-called air bubble arrangement with 37 countries, under which flights were permitted on a limited basis.

The government also permitted full domestic flight operations beginning October 18, 2021.

Meanwhile, new concerns from a highly transmissible variety have emerged following a surge in cases in China and several European nations.