MUMBAI: Air India has been banned from flying into Hong Kong for a period of two weeks, according to media reports. Air India had to cancel its Delhi to Hong Kong flight on Monday, after the airline was informed about certain restrictions put in place by the Hong Kong government, said an Air India official. The return flight from Hong Kong to Delhi wasn’t operated as well.
According to media reports, the Chinese government banned Air India flights to Hong Kong after allegedly finding eleven Covid-19 positive cases on an Air India Delhi-Hong Kong flight operated on August 14.
An Air India official said: “All we knew that there was some restrictions that the Hong Kong government had put in place because of which we had to cancel Monday’s Delhi-HongKong-Delhi flight. We don’t know the reason for these restrictions.”
The Chinese government move has hit thousands of Hong Kong-bound passengers stranded in India. Passengers, caught unawares, took to social to reschedule their travel plans. Responding to tweet from a passenger, Air India tweeted: “Due to restrictions imposed by Hong Kong Authorities, AI 310/315, Delhi – Hong Kong – Delhi of 18th August 2020 stands postponed. Next update in this regard will be intimated soon. You may please contact Air India Customer Care for further assistance.” On August 13, Air India had announced its plans to add more flights to Hong Kong.