The suspension of all scheduled international commercial passenger flights has been extended till the end of December 31, 2020, in the wake of a spike in coronavirus cases.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in a circular dated November 26 said all scheduled international commercial passenger flights flying to and from India will remain suspended till December 31.

However, these restrictions won't apply to cargo operations and services approved by the DGCA.

The DGCA also added that select international flights on limited routes may be allowed by competent authorities on case to case basis.

The DGCA had earlier suspended scheduled international passenger flights till November 30.

The scheduled international passenger services have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus pandemic. But special international flights have been operating since May and under the bilateral 'air bubble' arrangements with selected countries since July.

India has formed air bubble pacts with around 20 countries, including the US and the UK. Under an air bubble pact between two countries, special international flights can be operated by their airlines between their territories.

The scheduled domestic passenger flights resumed in India on May 25 after a gap of two months amid the pandemic situation.