A shot in the arm for connectivity, and some changes to COVID-protocols—that’s what today’s top flight news looks like for India.
First off, we’ve got a list of changes announced by Delhi, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh that you should take a careful look at. After that, you might be excited to know of a little World War II-era airfield that’s bringing hope to western Assam. And lastly—we’re getting a direct flight connecting Delhi to Japan from June!
Enjoy free date change on IndiGo, SpiceJet, GoAir & AirAsia domestic flights:
RT-PCR testing: Delhi and Chhattisgarh tighten rules, Karnataka relaxes them
Delhi has declared that passengers arriving from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh via any mode of transport will be allowed to undergo home quarantine for 7 days if they are fully vaccinated (two doses) and can show a certificate, or if they are carrying a negative RT-PCR report (not older than 72 hours prior to departure). Such passengers who do not have a home quarantine facility can opt for institutional / paid quarantine for 7 days.
Passengers who fulfil neither criteria will have to complete 14 days of mandatory, government-approved institutional/paid quarantine upon arrival in Delhi.
More details here:
All persons arriving from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states in Delhi by airlines, trains, buses, or any other mode of transportation shall have to undergo mandatory Government institutional quarantine for 14 days at facilities established/ identified by the concerned DM: DDMA pic.twitter.com/g1IZdk99ID
— ANI (@ANI) May 6, 2021
Chhattisgarh has also imposed a negative RT-PCR report requirement, with the test having to be conducted 72 hours before arrival. Effective since May 4, any flyer arriving in the state without the report will not be allowed to leave the airport.
Karnataka, however, has become the first state to remove an existing RT-PCR test requirement in 2021. Bengaluru Airport announced that a negative test report is no longer required for asymptomatic air passengers arriving in the city.
The previous rule, which required all arrivals from Punjab, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Chandigarh to carry a negative report while flying into the state, now stands cancelled. However, those experiencing COVID-19 symptoms will still have to carry the report.
For any queries, the airport advises passengers to contact [email protected] or 080-22012001.
Assam restarts flights from WW2-era airport
Rupsi Airport in Assam’s Dhubri has managed to land its first commercial flight after a hiatus of 38 years. The maiden flight, operated by Flybig, flew in from Guwahati under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme. The improved connectivity is expected to solve transit issues faced by passengers from western Meghalaya, southern Bhutan, and Bengal’s northern districts.
Rupsi Airport is ready to take off!
On 5th May’21, the trial flight was conducted on the Guwahati @ApdGuwahati-Rupsi @aairupairport-Guwahati route by @flybigairlines. The trial was completed timely & safely with extended support from the State govt & concerned agencies. pic.twitter.com/7cAJ7zpEBr— Airports Authority of India (@AAI_Official) May 6, 2021
Rupsi’s history as an airfield goes as far back as 1939, when a 1.8km runway was built to supply arms and manpower to Allied forces in Myanmar and China. Once World War II ended, Rupsi’s strategic importance as an airfield began to fade. Its last flight—run by a regional airline named Vayudoot—was in 1983.
After the revival last week, Rupsi Airport (code: RUP) has been quick to announce the initial flight schedule, which will apply on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays:
> Guwahati (8.35 am departure) to Rupsi (9.10 am arrival)
> Rupsi (9.40 am departure) to Kolkata (11.10 am arrival)
> Kolkata (11.40 am departure) to Rupsi (1.20 pm arrival)
> Rupsi (3 pm departure) to Guwahati (3.40 pm)
Vistara launches Delhi–Tokyo flights
Operations for this route connecting the two capitals will begin from June 16 this year. Round-trip all-inclusive fares for Delhi–Tokyo–Delhi start at Rs. 45,049, while round-trip all-inclusive fares for Tokyo–Delhi–Tokyo start at JPY 90,099 (approx. Rs. 60, 734).
Here’s the flight schedule so far:
Credit: airvistara.com
To know the entry rules for all states (and several international destinations), be sure to check our COVID-19 Travel Guide!
Feature image credit: Rupsi Airport on Twitter
