Regular domestic flight operations may resume in India by December end or January beginning — confirms Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. By Tanvi Jain
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Regular domestic flights will resume its usual operations like the pre-COVID-19 times either by the end of December 2020 or beginning of January 2021 — Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently announced during Hyderabad’s Deccan Dialogue event at the Indian School of Business.
He said that since the resumption of flight operations in May that happened in a phased manner after being shut since March 2020 due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus, as many as 30,000 passengers have been flown every day, and around 2.25 lakh were served during Diwali alone.
“We opened civil aviation on May 25 — two months and two days after complete lockdown — with 30,000 passengers a day. Two days ago, just before Diwali, we carried 2.25 lakh passengers,” he was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express.
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He further informed that as of now the aviation sector that is currently operating at 70 per cent capacity, is now aiming to reach 80 per cent.
“I have already told my colleagues to look at 80 per cent. I am confident that by December 31, or a week or two into January, we will return to pre-Covid levels,” he added.
Meanwhile, moving on to international flights, he mentioned that it all depends on domestic operations crossing the 50 per cent mark – a target that has already been achieved, behaviour of the virus and introduction of the vaccine. “Once the COVID-19 vaccine is available, people will get the confidence to fly. A lot also hinges on easing of entry restrictions in foreign countries,” he was further quoted by Business Today.
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He assured that the Government is closely monitoring the situation, and the final decision on whether to allow airlines to operate at a 100 per cent capacity or not, will depend on the situation of the pandemic.
“More than 2 crore domestic passengers have now travelled since recommencement of domestic aviation operations on 25 May 2020. 2,26,796 passengers on 1,831 flights on 21 Nov is the highest since operations resumed. Total flight movements 3,667, Footfalls at airports – 4,53,948,” he recently tweeted.
Related: From 33% To 60% — Domestic Flight Operations In India Witness A Slow And Steady Rise
