The decision was taken due to the spread of a new strain of coronavirus
Flights suspended from 22nd December to 31st December 2020
Mandatory RT-PCR test for passengers in transit flights
Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, MoS, I/C, Civil Aviation has informed that all flights originating from the U.K into India will be suspended temporarily from 22nd December to 31st December 2020. He stated that the Government of India has decided to take all necessary precautions as a result of the situation arising out of the spread of a new strain of coronavirus in some countries.
Considering the emerging Covid-19 situation in the UK, the Government of India has decided that all flights to and from the UK will be suspended till 31st December 2020 (23.59 hours). This suspension will start w.e.f. 23.59 hours, 22nd December 2020. However, this restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA.
Airlines operating flights to India from other countries shall not board any passenger traveling from the UK to India and shall ensure that no passenger coming from the UK is boarded in a flight for any destination in India either directly or indirectly.
As a measure of precaution, passengers arriving from UK in all transit flights (flights that have taken off or flights which are reaching India before 22nd December 2020 at 23.59 hrs) should be subject to mandatory RT-PCR test at the arrival port in India. The passengers found Covid-19 positive on arrival shall be quarantined as per guidelines issued by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and would bear the medical costs incurred.
