A Newark, United States-bound flight returned to Delhi airport three hours after departure due to the death of a passenger onboard, according to a media report. The passenger, a US national travelling with his wife, was declared dead on December 4 by a team of airport doctors after a medical check-up on the Air India Delhi-Newark flight, news agency ANI quoted an official of the national carrier as saying. The flight landed safely at Delhi airport and as per the Flight Time Duty Limitation (FDTL) norms, and is expected to take off with new crew members, the official added.
The matter has been reported to the Airport Police for further legal formalities.
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India on Wednesday indefinitely postponed the full resumption of international flights from December 15 amid concerns over the Omicron variant of coronavirus.
International flights will continue to operate with 31 countries with which India has air bubble agreements.
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“In view of the evolving global scenario with the emergence of new variant of concern, the situation is being watched closely in consultation with all the stakeholders and an appropriate decision indicating the effective date of resumption of scheduled commercial international passenger services shall be notified in due course,” the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in an order.
Last month, the Ministry of Civil Aviation announced that international scheduled commercial flights would resume from December 15 after a 21-month ban. The decision had been taken taken in consultation with the ministries of health, external affairs and home affairs, the ministry had said.
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However, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked government officials to reconsider easing of international travel restrictions at a review meeting on COVID-19 preparedness, in wake of growing concerns over Omicron. Following this, a meeting chaired by the home secretary decided that the date would be reviewed as per the evolving global scenario.
