Amid concerns over the new coronavirus variant found in the United Kingdom, the Centre has extended the restriction on flights between India and UK till midnight of February 14.

The DGCA said, “The competent authority has further extended the restriction on flights between India and UK upto 14' February, 2021 (23.59 hrs). The other terms and conditions of the said letter shall remain unchanged. UK carriers may file their bubble schedule accordingly to DGCA for approval.”

The flight services between India and UK resumed from January 6, while those from UK to India will resumed from January 8. In December 2020, these services were halted to curtail the spread of a mutant coronavirus strain which was discovered in the UK. Several nations, including India, had halted flight services to the UK in the wake of the new mutant.

The initial decision was to suspend flights till December 31. However, in the wake of increasing cases of the new strain, it was decided to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK till January 7.

Prior to the deferral, over 60 flights per week were being operated between two countries.

(With inputs from IANS)