International Flights: Lufthansa Cancels India-Germany Flights From Sept 30 After Row With Centre

International Flights Latest News: After Indian authorities rejected Lufthansa’s planned flight schedule for October, the airline major on Tuesday said it will cancel all its planned flights between Germany and India from September 30 to October 20. Also Read – International Flights: Dubai Asks Air India Express to Reject COVID-negative Reports of Passengers From 4 Indian Labs

“Lufthansa had applied for the continuation of special flights it was granted to operate until the end of September. This application process is necessary since India has, so far, not accepted the invitation by the German government to discuss details regarding a temporary travel agreement between both countries,” the airline said in a statement. Also Read – International Flights: Saudi Arabia Permits Outbound Passenger Flights to India Under Vande Bharat Mission

In the statement, the airline said it had originally scheduled flights for October in order to continue connecting Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru with Europe and other regions in Lufthansa’s worldwide network. Also Read – International Flights: Saudi Arabia Suspends Flights to/From These Countries Amid Rising COVID Cases | Know Here

“The October schedule would also have seen the addition of flights to and from Chennai, one of the most important cities in southern India,” it said.

However, the airline urged India to work together with the German government in order to establish a temporary travel agreement between both countries.

“Such an agreement is necessary to address the urgent need of tens of thousands of Indians and foreign nationals for travel to and from India and would also help balance the interests of both countries’ airlines,” the airline said.

“As visa issuance is restarting and demand for flights to and from India is increasing, it is regrettable that Lufthansa is currently being unnecessarily restricted in its ability to serve its loyal Indian customers and enable their desired travel,” it added further.

Scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23 due to the coronavirus lockdown. However, special flights have been permitted under “air bubble” arrangements India has formed with 13 countries, including Germany.

In a statement, the DGCA said India formalised an air bubble with Germany in July this year. “However, there are restrictions in place for Indian nationals desiring to travel to Germany which was putting Indian carriers at a significant disadvantage resulting in inequitable distribution of traffic in favour of Lufthansa,” the DGCA stated.

“As against Indian carriers operating 3-4 flights a week, Lufthansa operated 20 flights a week. In spite of this disparity we offered to clear 7 flights a week for Lufthansa which was not accepted by them. Negotiations continue,” it noted.

Lufthansa said it “sincerely urges” Indian authorities to work together with the German government to establish a temporary travel agreement between both countries.

(With inputs from agencies)