India is in the midst of the second wave of COVID-19 and several states have enforced localized lockdowns as well as restrictions on movement. The protocols on air travel are updated almost daily so we suggest that you check the latest guidelines on the airline’s website before you leave for the airport for a hassle-free experience.

Many states have now made the RT-PCR test mandatory before arriving into their state. Click here to download the latest state wise travel restrictions.

India is currently fighting an uphill battle with an unprecedented surge of coronavirus cases since early March. In the last few days, many countries have implemented travel bans and restrictions on flights to and from India to control the spread of the new Indian variant of the virus:

Here is a summary of the flight bans and travel restrictions imposed by countries updated as on 3rd May, 1800 hrs:

UAE
The UAE had announced the suspension of entry of passengers from India from midnight on 25th April until 4th May. This has now been extended till 31st May. The only exceptions to the ban on entry are UAE nationals, diplomats and persons holding golden residency visas. However, those looking to travel from the UAE to India will be permitted to do so.

United States
The US has restricted travel from India from 4th May for Indian nationals. Any non-citizen who has been in India for a period of 14 days preceding arrival to the US will not be allowed to enter the country.

Exemptions to the rule are US nationals, PR & green card holders, spouse and family member of US citizens. In addition, students seeking to commence studies in the fall, academics, journalists and individuals who provide critical infrastructure support in countries affected by a geographic COVID-19 restriction are eligible for exemption from this travel ban.

United Kingdom
India has been included in the "red" list of countries barred from entering the UK. This means that if travellers who have been in or through India in the previous 10 days, will be refused entry to the UK.

However, if they are a British or Irish National, or have residence rights in the UK, they will be able to enter the UK, but must quarantine in a government approved hotel for 10 days.

Germany
Although Air India and Lufthansa will not be suspending flights between the two countries, only German nationals and holders of a German resident permit are allowed to enter Germany. Transit via Germany to any Schengen destination is only permitted for German nationals and holders of a German resident permit.

Transit to any Non-Schengen destination is permitted for all nationalities (Indian passports must be in possession of a valid Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to transit for final destination outside the Schengen Area.

Holders of German short- and long-term visas are not allowed to enter Germany. Students on German Student visa and not holding a resident permit of Germany are not allowed to enter Germany.

Eligible individuals will have to take two diagnostics tests- one before and one after the flight, and quarantine for 14 days in Germany. All passengers must hold a negative COVID-19 test result at time of departure. The sample given for proof of negative COVID-19 test must not be older than 48 hours from the planned arrival into Germany. All passengers must digitally register on entry.

Netherlands
The Dutch government has announced a three week travel ban on India, from 26th April to 15th May.

France
France has barred flights from India in an effort to prevent the highly contagious coronavirus variant from infecting its citizens. Those eligible to enter the country from India will be required to serve a 10-day quarantine. Transit to any Non-Schengen destination is permitted for all nationalities (Indian passports must be in possession of a valid Airport Transit Visa (ATV) to transit for final destination outside the Schengen Area.

Canada
The Regulatory Authority of Canada has banned flights from India for a period of 30 day till 21st May. Those who travel to Canada from India or Pakistan via an indirect route will need to obtain a negative COVID-19 test from their last point of departure and subject to two weeks quarantine which includes up to three days at an approved hotel while awaiting their on-arrival COVID-19 test results.

Apart from above countries, Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Kuwait, Kenya, New Zealand, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Singapore have banned travel to and from India due to the rising number of infections in the country.

Here is the updated 'air bubble' flight schedule between India and Germany on Lufthansa for May ‘21:

Flights from India:

Flights to India:

As explained in the previous section, only German nationals and holders of a German resident permit are allowed to enter Germany and can take these flights.

As America’s travel restriction order for India comes into effect from 4th May thereby significantly reducing the number of eligible flyers, Air India will be slashing frequency of its nonstop flights to US. Air India has about 30 weekly flights as of now and has cut flights mainly from and to its hub in Delhi, followed by Mumbai and Bengaluru.

AI has come out with a schedule that cancels flights on India-America routes starting between 6th & 14th May up to first week of June (different dates for different sectors). This schedule is tentative as the travel restriction imposed by US is indefinite. To summarize the list of cancelled flights:

Maldives: Travellers arriving from India now can only stay at a resort or a safari boat and are not allowed to check into guest houses in inhabited islands where locals also live.

Seychelles: The island nation of Seychelles has modified its entry rules for India and will allow entry only to fully vaccinated travellers from India. Vaccinated travellers must complete two weeks after their second dose before getting their permit to enter Seychelles along with proof of vaccination. The travellers will also have to carry a negative RT-PCR test not older than 72 hours before departure.