Scheduled international flights, which were supposed to resume from December 15, have been deferred in view of the emerging threat from the new Coronavirus variant, Omicron. 

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) confirmed on Wednesday that the government had put its plans to resume international flights from December 15 on hold.

“In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of the new variant of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course,” the DGCA said today. 

In light of the Omicron variant, the Centre had issued new rules for international travellers arriving in India, which came into place from today. 

According to the new rules, passengers arriving from “at-risk” countries have to submit to an RT-PCR test in India, and if tested positive, they would be isolated. Those who tested negative would have to undergo home isolation for seven days, followed by repeat testing on the eighth day of arrival in India, followed by seven days of self-monitoring. 

Scheduled international flights have remained suspended in India since March 23 last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, special international passenger flights have been operating since July last year under air-bubble arrangements formed with 31 countries.