International Flights | Business Upturn

Iran resumes flights to Moscow after two-month suspension tied to war

Rashmi Pandey — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:27:33 +0000

Iran has resumed flights to Moscow after a two-month suspension caused by the war, according to reporting attributed to IRNA and other recent coverage on the reopening of Iranian air services. The move comes as the country gradually restores international flight operations that were halted during the conflict.

The resumption follows Iran’s earlier restart of commercial flights from Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran after a 56-day suspension. State media reported that flights to destinations including Istanbul, Muscat and Medina had already resumed, marking the first stage of the wider restoration of air travel.

Recent reports said the Iranian Civil Aviation Organization and airport officials were reopening routes in phases as safety and infrastructure conditions improved. Tehran’s Imam Khomeini Airport City CEO was quoted as saying international flights were being brought back gradually, with additional routes to be approved step by step.

The broader aviation reset comes after months of disruption caused by the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Flight operations had been heavily restricted, and Iranian authorities only began partial reopening after the ceasefire environment allowed civil aviation to restart in stages.

The Moscow route is significant because Iran and Russia have maintained active political, economic and security ties during the conflict period. A return of flights between the two capitals would restore an important direct travel link for diplomatic, commercial and passenger traffic.

The latest reports show that Iran is still moving cautiously, with air routes being restored in phases rather than all at once. Officials have said the process depends on operational conditions and aviation approvals as the country works to normalize flight services.

DGCA prolongs ban on international commercial passenger flights till November 30

Ayisha Farah — Fri, 29 Oct 2021 14:57:36 +0000

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has prolonged the ban on international commercial passenger flights to and from India, which was supposed to end on October 31. The ban is now prolonged till November 30, the DGCA said in a declaration on October 29.

However, the circular added that the constraint should not implement to international all-cargo operations and flights confirmed explicitly by DGCA. Also, international scheduled flights may be permitted on chosen routes by the accountable authority on case to case basis, the Indian regulatory body said.

While domestic flights continued in May, international travel continued to be suspended as COVID-19 cases remained high.

pic.twitter.com/PqBNp330GO

— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) October 29, 2021

“In partial modification of circular dated 26-06-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the subject cited above regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs IST of November 30 2021. This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA,” the notice reads.

The ban on international flights extended till September 30 by the government

Shivya Kumar — Sun, 29 Aug 2021 07:43:31 +0000

According to the reports, the government has authorised the shelving of international flights till September 30, due to the surge in coronavirus cases as stated by the DGCA regulator. The flights were earlier suspended will 31st of August.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation also claimed that the International flights will be taken on specific routes through Competent authority accordance to the case severity.

Since March 23, 2020, the interactional passenger’s provisions have been adjourned in India. Although following Vande Bharat Mission initiated on May 2021 was allocated with special international flights in selected countries.

An air bubble programme was signed between India and 25 countries such as the US, the UK, the UAE, Kenya, Bhutan and France.

This act enables two countries with special international flights which can be operated by airlines in their affirmed regions.

The reports also proclaimed that the postpone won’t affect the duties of international all-cargo operations and flights.

Although the domestic flights resumed in May but the international flights have been kept on halt as the COVID-19 cases have still been at high levels. Few days back, it was reported that the government has made mandatory for all the international passengers to carry negative RT-PCR reports if they are landing in Maharashtra.

DGCA extends suspension of international flights until July 31

Diya S. — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 09:07:11 +0000

On June 30, India‘s aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has extended the suspension of scheduled international commercial passenger services till 31st July.

The notification signed by the joint director general of the DCGA Sunil Kumar said that it had modified its previous order which was issued on 26th June, 2020 regarding the extension of the partial ban on the commercial flights.

The ban of scheduled international passenger flights was first imposed in the month of March, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the extension, it was intended to end on 30th June. The restrictions will not apply to international all-cargo operations as well as flights specifically approved by DGCA.

According to the aviation regulator, international scheduled flights might be permitted on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis.

pic.twitter.com/nlbBJRKUTb

— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) June 30, 2021

However, since May 2020, under the Vande Bharat Mission along with bilateral ‘air bubble‘ arrangements with certain selected countries since July 2020, special international flights are allowed to operate.

The country has formed air bubble pacts with about 24 nations such as Bhutan, France, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the UK and the US. Under such air bubble agreements between two countries, special international flights are permitted to operate by the airlines between their territories.

Australia suspends all direct passenger flights from India until 15 May; PM Morrison says “no special treatment for cricketers playing IPL”

Nitin Anand — Tue, 27 Apr 2021 07:20:47 +0000

On Tuesday, April 27, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison took a shocking decision regarding international flights from India and announced that Australia has suspended all direct passenger flights from India due to the unprecedented spike in COVID-19 cases.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison also said the suspension would remain in place until at least May 15 due to “clearly present” risks of travel from India.

Australia will suspend all direct passenger flights from India until May 15, says PM Scott Morrison. #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/sev4Ym5rNk

— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021

Australian cabinet’s national security committee has taken this decision to consider the move to temporarily restrict flights from India along with what equipment and assistance could be sent.

There are about 9,000 Australians in India who are registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as wanting to return home.

Morrison also said that the suspension was not a permanent measure, saying repatriation flights would resume with the “most vulnerable” given priority.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison also shared an update about the Australian cricketers who are playing IPL and added, “We don’t think the answer is to for sake those Australians in India and just shut them off, as some seem to suggest. There would be no special treatment for cricketers currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL).”

Earlier this month, New Zealand also imposed a temporary block on all travellers from India, shutting out returning Kiwis for the first time since the pandemic emerged.

In the last 24 hours, India reported 3,23,144 new COVID-19 cases and 2,51,827 patients got discharge, while 2,771 people died of this deadly virus. Total active cases in India is now around 28.82 lakhs. The total death toll in India reached to 1,97,894.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern temporarily suspends entry for all travellers from India

Nitin Anand — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 05:49:35 +0000

On Thursday, April 8, Prime Minister Jacinda Arden released new restrictions on international flights. On that note, PM Ardern announced temporarily suspension of entry for all travellers from India, including its own citizens, following a high number of positive COVID-19 cases arriving from there. The suspension will start on April 11 and will be in place till April 28, as reported by Reuters, quotes ANI.

New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern temporarily suspends entry for all travellers from India, including its own citizens, following a high number of positive #COVID19 cases arriving from there. The suspension starts on April 11 and will be in place until April 28: Reuters pic.twitter.com/MCNUdLZTNs

— ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2021

Decision was taken due to increase of Covid-19 cases in India and decision comes after New Zealand recorded 23 new positive coronavirus cases at its border on Thursday, out of which 17 were from India. The suspension will start from April 11 and will continue till April 28. During this time the government will also look at risk management measures to resume travel and to lift restrictions on international flights.

Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said in news conference, “This is not a permanent arrangement but rather a temporary measure. The temporary hold would also help reduce the risk that travellers themselves faced.”

She further added “I want to emphasize that while arrivals of COVID from India has prompted this measure, we are looking at how we manage high risk points of departure generally. This is not a country specific risk assessment.”

On Thursday, April 8, New Zealand reported one new local infection, a 24-year-old local inhabitants who was yet to be vaccinated. Till today, New Zealand has reported only 2,531 cases.

India also reached milestone in administrating Covid-19 Vaccine, India government manages to administer more than 9 crore doses.

India recorded over 1.26 lakh new COVID cases in the last 24 hours for first time since the beginning of the pandemic, setting an unprecedented, grim record during the second wave. 685 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours.

DGCA extends suspension of international flights till 30 April

Nitin Anand — Tue, 23 Mar 2021 14:07:12 +0000

On Tuesday , March 23, Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) released a circular which states that international flights have been suspended till 30th April 2021.

DGCA stated in circular “Suspension of international flights further extended till 30th April 2021. However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis”, as quoted by ANI.

Suspension of international flights further extended till 30th April 2021. However, international scheduled flights may be allowed on selected routes by the competent authority on case to case basis: Office of Director General of Civil Aviation

— ANI (@ANI) March 23, 2021

The Circular also states that this restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specially approved by DGCA.

pic.twitter.com/sTTwfJKkUn

— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) March 23, 2021

Now, its been one year to the ban on international flights because of coronavirus outbreak. Since then India has been operating Vande Bharat mission to many places and has formed air bubbles with over 27 countries. People eligible as per government norms can fly to and from India.

Earlier, DGCA has also released a circular on 13th March 2021, regarding strict compliance of COVID-19 protocols during air travel. Circular states that passengers shall wear masks and maintain social distancing norms at all time during air travel. It also states that CISF or other police personnel deployed at the entrance of Airport shall ensure that no one is allowed to enter airport premises without wearing mask.

pic.twitter.com/YgW0HzrGoc

— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) March 13, 2021

SpiceJet posts loss of ₹57 crore in Q3, revenue stood at ₹1687 crore

Devanshu Singla — Wed, 10 Feb 2021 11:14:13 +0000

Low-cost airline SpiceJet posted a standalone loss of ₹56.95 crore for the quarter ended December 2020 amid limited operations and low demand. The company reported ₹73.2 crore profit in the corresponding period last year.

The company reduced losses in Q3 from ₹112.59 crore loss reported in the previous quarter due to the increase in operations and demand.

Standalone revenue from operations fell 53.8 per cent year-on-year to ₹1,686.6 crore in Q3 FY21 but sequentially increased by 60 per cent.

Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director said “As we report Q3 numbers, I am glad that 2020 is finally behind us. The pandemic has, undoubtedly, been the biggest crisis to hit the aviation industry and we are confident that things will only get better for us from now on.”

“We have successfully managed to trim down our losses considerably with each passing quarter despite limited operations and muted demand. SpiceJet yet again recorded the industry’s highest domestic load factor and has also demonstrated market leadership in passenger RASK amongst listed Indian peers,” he added.

SpiceJet, which operates a fleet of 19 cargo planes including five wide-body aircraft, operated more than 14,000 cargo flights transporting 1,15,500 tonnes of cargo since March 25, 2020, till date.

On an EBITDA basis, SpiceJet achieved a profit of ₹451.4 crore for the December quarter 2020 as against ₹442 crore in Q2FY21 and on an EBITDAR basis, the profit was ₹518.4 crore for the reported quarter as against a profit of ₹475 crore in Q2 FY21.

SpiceJet shares closed at ₹87.85, up 1.15 percent on the BSE.

SpiceJet launches 62 new domestic and international flights

Shravan Kanade — Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:15:29 +0000

SpiceJet launches 62 new domestic and international flights as the company is expecting an improved number of passengers after the recession in COVID-19 restrictions. The lockdown has been lifted off by the government, and life is returning to its former normality. SpiceJet is a leading airline company in India thus seeing the increment in passengers, the company decided to increase the number of flights in India and launched 62 new domestic and international flights.

However, the company earlier said about the suspension of multiple international flights that the flights are suspended till 31st October 2020 only. The company said in a reply to a tweet.

Hi, please note that international flights are suspended till 31st Oct'20 as of now. Stay tuned with us for updates regarding Air Bubble Scheme. Further, you may write to us at charters@spicejet.com for information regarding charter flights.

— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) October 18, 2020

The company says the safety of passengers is of the utmost importance and that more than 1.2 billion passengers have traveled since the beginning of 2020. However, there are only 44 confirmed cases of COVID-19 which are related to air travel, thus only one in 27 million people have tested positive with the case related to a flight.

The company cited research by the US Department of Defence that concludes that the risk of exposure to COVID-19 on a flight is non-existent and If you’re seated and wearing a mask, only 0.003% of infected particles cross into your breathing zone, even if the seats are full. So, rest assured one can fly without any worry.

SpiceJet rises 3% on commencement announcement of international flights to London from Delhi, Mumbai

Chittesh Dalmia — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 10:30:25 +0000

Budget airline SpiceJet was up by 3% to touch day’s high of Rs 52 on the BSE on the company’s announcement of the commencement of London bound flights from December 4. It will launch non-stop flights connecting the key metros of Delhi and Mumbai with London’s Heathrow airport.

The stock opened at Rs 50.30 and settled at Rs 51.50 on the National Stock Exchange.

Ajay Singh, Chairman & Managing Director, SpiceJet said, “I am extremely pleased to share that SpiceJet will launch flights to London Heathrow Airport beginning December this year. This is a huge milestone for us and I am proud of the fact that SpiceJet will be the first Indian low-cost airline to operate non-stop long-haul flights to the UK. London is one of the busiest long-haul destinations from India and our convenient flight timings should suit the convenience of our passengers perfectly.”

The airline will operate thrice a week to London including twice from Delhi and once a week from Mumbai. In the June quarter of FY2021, SpiceJet had reported pre-tax loss of Rs 593 crore, against a profit of Rs 261 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.