The government’s recent decision to further extend restrictions on international scheduled commercial passenger flights to and from India has not gone down well with the tourism sector.
The trade was anticipating that the regulatory authorities will allow scheduled flights to operate after the earlier restrictions imposed were due to end on September 30.
As per a circular issued on September 28 by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the suspension on scheduled international commercial passenger flights has been extended till October 31. However, the restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA, the circular further added.
“The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) had made various representations to the ministry of tourism and other government authorities for unlocking inbound tourism. We were also positive considering our major source markets like Europe have ensured that the majority of their population is vaccinated. Once the government allows scheduled international flights, we can work towards welcoming international tourists,” said Sanjay Razdan, Director, Razdan Holidays and Joint Secretary, IATO.
India is also yet to announce the resumption of e-tourist visa facility which has been suspended since March 2020 after a nationwide lockdown was announced. “At a time when other international markets are opening up for tourism, we are still not beginning scheduled international flights. India is allowing special flights and I don’t see a reason why even scheduled international flights can’t be resumed. Airfares will also become cheaper once scheduled international flights begin,” said K Vijay Mohan, Managing Director, Holiday World and President, Tours & Travels Association of Andhra (TTAA).
India at present is allowing special international flights to operate in the country under the government’s Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) since May 2020. As per the national carrier, Air India, it has operated 17,651 inbound flights till September 27, 2021 under VBM. The airline has also stated that it has carried 2,565,302 inbound passengers to the country.
“A majority of tourists won’t prefer to pay the present steep fares to visit India. Presently, travellers that are coming to India are arriving due to reason like for attending weddings or are expatriates. It is not a holiday and the Inbound tourism can’t take off unless international flights and e-tourist visa facility is resumed,” said Lally Mathews, Managing Director, Divine Voyages.
The trade has also questioned if scheduled international flights are not resumed, what purpose does government’s scheme to offer ‘free’ visas serve. The Indian Finance Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) earlier this year had announced once the tourist visa issuance for international travel is restarted, the first five lakh tourists will be issued visas free of charge. The benefit that will be available only once per tourist would be applicable till March 31, 2022.
“The announcement to further restrict scheduled international air operations is very demoralising for the industry. The entire world is steadily opening but we are not following suit. The government can make a negative test report mandatory for incoming travellers but a blanket ban is disappointing. The government’s move to offer free visas was a positive step for inbound sector but restrictions on international flights will not help the cause to revive inbound tourism,” said Subhash Verma, National Advisor, Indian Association of Travel and Tourism Experts (IATTE).