Govt aborts plan for int’l flights

A passenger shows her vaccination certificate at Birsa Munda International Airport, Ranchi, on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

The government on Wednesday decided not to resume scheduled international flights from December 15, less than a week after announcing the decision in the wake of rising concerns over the COVID variant Omicron.

Aviation watchdog DGCA said the effective date for resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services will be notified in due course. Scheduled international flights remain suspended since March 23, 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a fresh circular, DGCA said that 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.

"...an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said.

While no cases of Omicron have been reported in India so far, the authorities have put in place stricter norms for international passengers.

On November 29, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the situation was being closely monitored and reviewed in consultation with other ministries regarding "any further decision" on resuming scheduled international passenger services.

Fewest cases in November

With over 3.1 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases, the month of November saw the lowest number of people contracting the viral disease in the country since May last year. The monthly tally of fresh COVID-19 cases registered a decline for the sixth time in a row in November.

‘Get vaxxed, you could win a Rs 60k phone'

Ahmedabad: To encourage citizens to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Ahmedabad civic body has come up with a lucky draw scheme. Those who have taken the second dose of vaccine between December 1 and 7 will get a chance to win a smartphone worth Rs 60,000, said the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation in a statement on Wednesday.

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