Aviation Minister Says Ban On U.K. Flights May Be Extended

Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri Tuesday said he foresees a slight extension of temporary suspension of passenger flights between India and the U.K., where a new variant of the coronavirus has been detected.

The Civil Aviation Ministry had last week suspended all flights between that country and India from Dec. 23 to Dec. 31 over the mutated variant of the virus.

"I foresee a slight extension of temporary suspension of India-U.K. flights," the minister told a press conference.

"In the next day or two, we will find out if any additional steps need to be taken, or when we can start easing the current temporary suspension," he said.