Planning air travel anytime soon? Read this before you book your tickets to know what relaxations have been granted to airlines post flight resumptions in India. By Amitha Ameen
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The aviation sector, which was one of the worst-hit sectors during the lockdown, is finally picking up pace, with the reopening of borders, and the resumption of both domestic as well as international flights.
It all began with the launch of Government’s Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) scheme, in May, which operated special repatriation flights only to bring back Indian nationals stranded abroad, and ferry foreign nationals stuck in India safely to their homelands.
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However, it’s been almost five months now, and since then, the airlines have witnessed several major relaxations to help boost and revive domestic and international flight travel. Here are some of the primary relaxations that you need to know of.
– Apart from Air India, now even private airlines are allowed to take part in the Vande Bharat Mission.
– Unlike the earlier capacity of just 33 per cent in May, domestic passenger flights are now allowed to operate at 60 per cent capacity. International travel too got a boost after India signed air bubbles with 14 countries.
– Previously, passengers were only allowed to carry one check-in bag of up to 20 kilograms which has now been scrapped, and airlines have been given the liberty to choose and implement their own check-in baggage policy for passengers.
– Earlier, both domestic, as well as international airlines, were not allowed to serve in-flight meals and beverages to passengers onboard. However, since August, they have been given permission to serve pre-packed meals, snacks and beverages.
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Furthermore, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri recently mentioned in a tweet, “More than One Crore passengers on 1,08,210 flights since the recommencement of domestic operations on 25 May 2020. Moving towards Pre-COVID figures. Congratulations to all stakeholders on achieving this milestone! We continue our journey towards creating an #AatmaNirbharBharat.”
Related: From Oct 1, These Domestic Flights Will Start Operating From Delhi’s T2 Airport
