Expatriates from India in the Sultanate of Oman, who were expecting some relief in airfare after likely withdrawal of ban on regular international flights and resumption of scheduled flights, may have to wait for some more time, as India on Monday decided to extend the ban on regular international flights, until further orders.
Flights operating under air bubble arrangements as well as international cargo flights, however, will continue operations.
There were reports earlier that the country’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and the Civil Aviation Ministry were proposing to lift the ban – of course, after a green signal from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Since that signal has not yet been received, the extension of the ban was obvious.
“I was expecting the resumption of scheduled flights and subsequent fall in prices of the ticket to my place in India, which is located in Odisha,” said Anoop Das, who is planning a visit to India after airfare comes down, and that will happen only after the resumption of regular flights.
Travel agents also had lots of inquiries about the tickets for the middle of March, but that seems to be delayed until March-end, as indicated by the latest circulars from the Indian DGCA and the Civil Aviation Ministry.
“Many people are waiting to travel to India from Muscat and Salalah as many of them have not travelled due to Covid-19 restrictions and high airfare. We have many inquiries on a daily basis,” said a travel agent in Ruwi.
The Indian government believes international flights could start from the end of March, or at the beginning of the summer schedule for airlines.
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