If we think of starting the operations of international then both ends have to be ready & there has to be traffic. There is a significant amount of traffic between India & North American continents. We may think about opening flights on a case to case basis said Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola while addressing the media on Saturday.
In absence of a decision on resumption of international civil aviation which will depend on other countries opening up, we are left with no option but to continue what I call evacuation & repatriation flights under managed & controlled conditions informed Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Domestic private carriers have been offered to operate 750 repatriation flights in the 3rd, 4th phases of Vande Bharat Mission Puri informed.
The exact time when we will resume international flight depends on the other countries to be open to receive flights Puri added.
“I have never been as hopeful & confident on Air India, divestment, or disinvestment whatever you choose, as I am now. Air India is a first-class asset. Whether it be for the evacuation of people from Wuhan, Air India has been at the heart of it” said Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.
Puri informed that almost 2,75,000 Indians, who were stranded in foreign countries, have been brought back to the country in flights and ships during the lockdown in the Vande Bharat Mission.