New Delhi (NVI): Central Government is likely to increase the number of flights allowed to up to 75 per cent of pre-COVID levels in another week to ten days, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said today.
“The increase in the number of passengers taking domestic flights is encouraging and the need is to further increase the number of flights allowed. We are currently in discussions and may increase it to up to 75 per cent in a week to ten days,” Puri said while addressing a media briefing.
Discussed issues pertaining to civil aviation sector, particularly domestic & international operations, during an interaction with members of media today.
I was joined by Secy @MoCA_GoI, Chairman @AAI_Official, CMD @airindiain & DG @PIB_India @DGCAIndia pic.twitter.com/Uz6LbKGdyV
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) October 8, 2020
Airlines, which were grounded due to the lockdown during the months of April and May, were allowed to restart operations from May 25.
The airlines were, initially, allowed to operate only 33 per cent of pre-COVID flights, which was increased to 45 per cent and then to 60 per cent during the first week of September.
“The future of international flights is now depending on the availability of a vaccine,” Puri added.
Answering a question on whether travel bubble arrangements will continue till March-April, the minister said, “It is difficult to say as there is no country which has completely opened its borders for all. It depends on the availability of a vaccine as countries will feel more confident once a vaccine is there.”
Air bubbles are specific arrangements between countries to allow airlines of both the countries to carry passengers.
The minister hinted that this suspension is likely to be in place till March-April. “There are basically three issues to consider before resuming regular international flights. One, resuming domestic connectivity connecting bigger cities to smaller town, which we have already done. Second, the nature of the virus on which I can’t comment and the third is international restrictions. Every country wants their people to return, but for others there are plenty of restrictions,” Puri said.
-CHK
