UAE-bound expats disheartened as India extends international travel ban

UAE-bound expats disheartened as India extends international travel ban

The move comes a week after the suspension on oversees air services was extended till July 15.





In yet another setback for thousands of UAE-bound Indians stranded since March, the Indian aviation regulator, the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued a circular on Friday, extending the suspension on scheduled commercial flight operations to and from India till July 31.

The move comes a week after the suspension on oversees air services was extended till July 15. The circular, however, stated that international scheduled flights may be allowed on "selected routes" by the competent authority on a case-to-case basis.

For the countless UAE-bound NRIs stranded in India, the wait to return to their homes, jobs and loved ones seems endless. Disappointed and frustrated, many shared their heart-wrenching stories of pain of being separated from their loved ones, losing their jobs, homes and just missing their "blessed UAE life".

'Came for my husband's treatment'

Dubai resident Shehzadi Rehman, who has spent 21 years in the UAE, is now the only breadwinner of the house. Her husband was diagnosed with lymphoma and she had flown to Mumbai for his treatment.

"I am from Kolkata but came to Mumbai for my husband's treatment for two weeks. I