#Fly Again : Domestic Passenger Airlines Resume Operations, International Soon As Well

Image : Representational Purpose Only

Despite following imposition of own set of conditions and rules by several states which are at odds with each other, Indian skies will open up for domestic passenger flights May 25 as announced by the government after a gap of two months .

Moreover, the Delhi airport will be handling around 380 flights on May 25 , a senior official said. As per the directions of the Civil Aviation Ministry, domestic flight operations will resume after remaining suspended for about two months following the nationwide lockdown imposed to constrain the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Delhi airport will be handling around 380 domestic flights on Monday. There will be 190 departures and around 190 arrivals,” a senior government official said.

The Delhi airport’s operator DIAL said it has taken several measures including installation of automatic hand sanitisers at various places, putting floor markers, allocation of entry gates and check-in islands for departing passengers.

These steps have been taken to enforce social distancing norms and minimize human contact at the airport, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said.

Union Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri earlier stated that ,India will try to restart a good percentage of international passenger flights before August. while addressing a Facebook Live session, Puri, added : “I can’t put a date on it (restarting international flights). But if somebody says can it be done by August or September? My response is why not earlier depending on what is the situation.”

Many states like Maharashtra, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu were opposed to opening up of their airports in view of rising cases of the coronavirus infection, making it difficult for the airlines as well as the civil aviation authorities to resume services.

Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are home to some of the busiest airports in terms of passenger traffic.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik has said that the state has agreed to allow 25 take offs and 25 landings every day for domestic flights from Mumbai.

“This number will be increased gradually. State govt will issue details and guidelines in this regard soon,” he said.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she will urge the Centre to postpone resumption of domestic flight services at Kolkata and Bagdogra airports by a few days.