Omicron grounds Dec 15 plan to resume regular int’l flights

Omicron grounds Dec 15 plan to resume regular int’l flights

Flights Within Air Bubbles Will Continue: DGCA

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:02.12.2021

Regular international flights to and from India are unlikely to resume from December 15, as originally scheduled, due to uncertainty over the impact of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on the course of the pandemic, the country's civil aviation regulator said on Wednesday.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) will notify the new date “in due course”, depending on how the situation unfolds. International flights within air bubbles with 31 countries will continue till scheduled flights resume.

“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 and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course,” DGCA said.

UP launches 6-day focused Covid-19 testing campaign

Lucknow:

To zero in on possible carriers of Omicron variant of coronavirus, the Uttar Pradesh government launched a focused six-day testing drive on Wednesday.

The campaign aims at intensifying testing and conducting focused activities in vulnerable pockets, reports Shailvee Sharda.

Additional chief secretary (ACS), health and family welfare, Amit Mohan Prasad said while prevention and adherence to Covid-19 protocol was the best defence against the virus, including the new strain Omicron, surveillance activities had been intensified and focused testing was being carried out in the state. P 6

Omicron may weaken demand for int’l flights again

India had only last week announced graded resumption of regular international flights from December 15, nearly 21 months after all air travel had been suspended on March 23 last year. Limited flights operating within air bubbles since international travel resumed worldwide have sent fares skyrocketing. It isn’t uncommon now for oneway fares to be higher than return fares for peak season. Omicron could weaken demand for international flights again. Resumption of regular scheduled flights might also get indefinitely delayed.