International flights to India on the horizon after domestic travel resumes

Muscat: Indian expats looking to fly to India on commercial flights will soon be able to do so, after the go ahead for domestic flights in the country was given by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
The Indian government will begin reopening its skies from 25 May onwards, with domestic flights to be reintroduced on a gradual basis. International flights are expected to resume soon afterwards.
Union Aviation Minister of India, Hardeep Singh Puri said: “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020. All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May. Standard Operating Procedures for passenger movement are also being separately issued by Ministry of Civil Aviation, Government of India.”
Indian expats in Oman, particularly those who have family in the Sultanate who travelled home before the restrictions on flights were put in place, say they are looking forward to a resumption in air travel.
“My father travelled to see my mother before the measures to stop the coronavirus were put in place,” said Rohan Varma, an Indian who worked as an engineer in Oman.
“She lives there with the rest of our family and was looking to return. I had planned to travel to see my family earlier this month, but after the suspension of flights, that would of course not be possible.
“I have been looking to see them for a long time, because I am currently here alone, and I miss my family,” he added.
“If it is safe to travel in the coming weeks, maybe I will go to see them, but it is likely that it will take a while before people are comfortable enough to travel.”
Aahna Gandhi, another Indian expat, moved to Oman to be with her husband after he got a job in Oman. “I am here with my husband, but I really miss my folks back home,” she said.
“I would like to go to Mumbai now, but things are very risky there. When things get better and flights resume, then yes, I will definitely consider going, spend time with my family, and meet my friends while I am there.”