India extends ban on scheduled int'l flights till August 31

New Delhi : India has again extended the ban on international flights till August 31, according to a circular issued by the country's aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on July 30. 
The country first imposed the ban on all scheduled international flights to and from India on March 23 last year following the coronavirus crisis. 
The restrictions on international commercial flights were earlier scheduled to end on July 31, 2021. Now it has been extended till August 31 as coronavirus cases, specially the Delta variant, are soaring in the country and in the region. 
In its notice, the DGCA stated that the ban shall remain in place till 2359 hrs, Indian Standard Time (IST) of August 31, 2021. 
However, the ban will not apply to cargo flights and those approved by the regulatory body. 
Nevertheless, amid broader restrictions on international travel, there are flights that are being allowed to operate to repatriate stranded citizens or for eligible cases. 
Flight under the air bubble arrangements India has with many countries are also allowed to operate during this time. 
Till now, India has entered into air bubble arrangements with countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Bhutan, United Arab Emirates, Kenya, Maldives, Nepal, Rwanda, Ukraine, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Germany, Nigeria, and France, among others.