Only three more UK-India flights to arrive before ops ban

New Delhi, Dec 22 Only three flights from UK to India are expected to arrive at national capital's IGI Airport before all operations to the European country is banned till December 31.

Accordingly, Virgin Atlantic's flight -- VS302 -- with over 240 passengers is scheduled to arrive at IGI Airport around 11.15 p.m. on Tuesday.

"The Indian authorities have advised that from 22nd December they will deny entry to passengers travelling from the United Kingdom. This is a temporary measure which the authorities will review on 31st December," the airline said in a statement.

"As a result, we have taken the decision to temporarily suspend our services between London Heathrow and Delhi and Mumbai."

Besides, India's full-service airline Vistara's London-Delhi flight will arrive at 11 p.m.

Additionally, one Air India flight is expected to arrive from London to New Delhi at around 10 p.m.

"The passengers will be subjected to a RT-PCR test at the terminal only. After landing they will be kept at an isolation area till they are subjected to the test," airport sources said.

As per the schedule, no other flights of Air India or British Airways are operating today or beyond the midnight's deadline.

"#FlyAI: In view of GoI directive on suspension of flights to UK, from 22nd-31st Dec'20, Oman & Saudi Arabia both from 22nd-29th Dec '20, Air India is offering passengers booked to travel during the period one-time free reschedule for travel completed within 31st Dec '21. (1/2), (sic)

"(2/2) All Penalties for one-time rescheduling, cancellation, rerouting will be waived for bookings between 22nd & 31st Dec '20. For further assistance in this regard please dial our customer care numbers," the airline said on its twitter handle.

Additionally, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) said: "Yesterday, CSMIA had four flights, one from Amsterdam and three from London carrying over 690 passengers. Today, 22nd December there are Zero flights operating to and from London."

"There are five flights arriving and eight departing to Dubai and one departing for Doha."

"Effective, December 22, 2020: Passengers arriving from the Middle East and European countries, irrespective of their further travel plans, will be subjected to mandatory institutional quarantine; any passenger identified as being symptomatic on arrival will be transferred to designated COVID facility for further evaluation."

"Passengers arriving from these regions will be transported by state officials to nearby hotels of their preference to undergo institutional quarantine for seven days at their own cost."

On Monday, India announced the suspension of all flights to and from the UK from December 23 till 31 in the wake of the new mutant strain of novel coronavirus.

The suspension will start with effect from 23.59 hours on December 22.

All flights from India to UK shall also stand temporarily suspended during the period.

At present, Vistara, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways operate flights between the two countries.

These airlines operate about 40 weekly flights from eight Indian destinations to and from the UK.