Australia bans passenger flights from India till May 15

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that the decision will be reviewed before May 15.

Moneycontrol News

April 27, 2021 / 10:31 AM IST

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Australia has suspended all passenger flights from India until May 15. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on April 27 said that all flights from India to Australia will be temporarily halted.

Morrison said the suspension would remain in place until at least May 15 due to "clearly present" risks of travel from India, leaving thousands of Australians -- including high-profile cricketers -- stranded. Morrison said that the decision will be reviewed before May 15.

Morrison also said Australia would send medical aid, including oxygen tanks, ventilators and personal protective equipment, to India as its health system strains under the growing caseload.

Morrison said India was enduring a "terrible humanitarian crisis" that was also hitting Australian families with ties to the country. "The scenes that we're seeing from India are truly heartbreaking," he said.

Morrison stressed that the suspension was not a permanent measure, saying repatriation flights would resume with the "most vulnerable" given priority.

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