International Flight Operations between India and Other Countries: Current Updates and Guidelines

The coronavirus pandemic continues to impact global travel, particularly international flights between India and other countries. As of July 6th, 2020, the situation is closely monitored and frequently updated. This article provides the latest information on flight operations, travel restrictions, and airline policies to help you plan your next trip.

Current Status of Flight Operations

Domestic flights in India resumed on May 25, 2020, albeit with strict safety measures and under a calibrated schedule to manage the risks of the coronavirus. However, international routes remain suspended, with the current restriction set to end on July 31, 2020.

International Travel Restrictions and Provisions

The Indian government has extended the nationwide freeze, prohibiting all international passenger travel to and from India. This includes revoking all existing visas and suspending visa-free travel facilities for OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cardholders until further notice.

If you have compelling reasons to travel to India: You can contact the nearest Indian mission to obtain a new visa. For any foreigner seeking to travel to India during the travel ban, specific procedures must be followed.

Latest Airline Information and Cancellations

A number of airlines have issued updates regarding their flight operations and policies due to the coronavirus pandemic. Here’s a summary of what you need to know:

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines offers the latest updates on its website, where you can find information on flight cancellations. International flights to certain cities started resuming in June 2020, but are once again suspended until July 31, 2020, as per Indian government directives.

For those with reservations prior to March 20, 2020, no change fee applies for changing the ticket for the same cabin class until February 28, 2021, even for non-cancelled flights. For reservations made after March 20, 2020, changes are allowed until December 31, 2021, without fees. Cancelled flights offer several options with detailed information available here.

IndiGo Airlines

IndiGo resumed domestic flights from March 25, 2020, but international flights remain suspended until July 31, 2020. For cancelled flights, the amount of the reservation can be reused in the form of a shell credit valid for 1 year from the date of issue for the same passenger.

AirAsia

AirAsia has resumed domestic flights since March 25, 2020, but international flights are suspended until July 31, 2020. Visitors can convert the amount paid for a flight reservation into a credit account valid for 730 days or change the date of your flight to before October 31, 2020, at no extra cost.

Emirates

Emirates will operate international flights to certain destinations until June 30, 2020, and then comply with the national coronavirus shutdown until July 31, 2020. For flights booked on or before June 30, 2020, the validity of such tickets will be extended by 24 months from the date of booking. The amount paid for the original reservation can be used at any time during this period free of change fees for the same destination/region.

Air India

Following Indian governmental regulations, Air India resumed domestic flights from March 25, 2020, but international operations are suspended until July 31, 2020. For tickets booked between March 23, 2020, and May 31, 2020, the passenger is entitled to book flights in the same class between May 25, 2020, and August 24, 2020, at no additional cost. If tickets were dated May 25 to May 31, 2020, and issued after May 22, 2020, the ticket is fully refundable.

Ryanair

Ryanair operates on a limited schedule, suspending international flights as per the Indian government directive until July 31, 2020. The airline has given customers the option of a 12-month travel voucher, a refund, or a new booking for the trip.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways operates international services to several cities, excluding India due to governmental restrictions, until July 31, 2020. The airline offers options to rebook flights or create a future travel voucher equal to the value of the ticket plus an additional value of 10 excluding statutory taxes. You can also exchange your ticket for Qatar Airways Privilege Club Qmiles or get a refund, applicable until December 31, 2020.

British Airways

British Airways plans to resume flights in July, with their plans under constant review. If your booking is canceled, you have the option to change the booking or claim a voucher online for the value of your booking. The voucher is valid until April 30, 2022.

Etihad

Etihad offers limited special flights and flexible booking policies according to government guidelines. Reservations made after April 29, 2020, for travel between July 1 to August 31, 2020, are fully flexible and refundable with no change fees for flights before June 30, 2020, for travel until November 30, 2020.

Air Arabia

Air Arabia operates special and cargo flights and is expected to gradually return to a more complete schedule. For cancellations until June 30, 2020, Air Arabia will convert the total amount paid into a voucher valid for 1 year on any Air Arabia flight.

GoAir

GoAir has resumed domestic flights since March 25, 2020, and fully reimburses all reservations between March 25, 2020, and April 14, 2020, for travel between March 25, 2020, and May 3, 2020.

Thai Airways

Thai Airways canceled and postponed various flights in June and July 2020, suspending international flights until July 31, 2020. They offer three options to their customers: extending the validity of tickets, providing travel vouchers, or reimbursing partially used tickets.

For the latest information and updates, please visit the official websites of the respective airlines or the government’s travel advisory.