India plans to scrap Air Suvidha system for international travellers

Gulf Today Report

The Indian authorities are considering scrapping the health screening Air Suvidha system with the easing of COVID-19 restrictions across the world.

The news was reported first by Indian Express.

According to Indian Express, a senior Civil Aviation Ministry official said that they have written to the Department of Health requesting the removal of Air Suvidha's requirements as this may increase flying comfort and increase international traffic flow.

According to health experts, the doing away of Air Suvidha will take months and it would review the program in August and make a decision.

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The airports’ staff and experts are still monitoring the international Covid-19 cases, especially from red list countries.

Prior to this move, International passengers arriving in India urged to upload their RT-PCR report or vaccine certificate on the Air Suvidha portal. 

As per the fresh guidelines, all international passengers must mandatorily be quarantined at home for seven days.

The Air Suvidha portal was launched in 2020 during the peak of COVID-19. ,

The system updates the Indian authorities about a traveller’s vaccination status, travelling history and health status.

This form is mandatory and must be completed at any time before boarding any flights to India.

Foreign travellers, including UAE, have reported that the portal crashes several times and it doesn’t update.