Domestic flights to begin operation from 25th May

In additional relaxation of lockdown, domestic filghts will resume from 25th May in a calibrated manner. At the present only cargo and evacuation filght services are permitted.

The lockdown which was put in place to curb the spread of coronavirus is in place till 31st May. But, certain relaxations have been permitted.

All airports and air carriers are being notified to be all set for operations from next week, tweeted civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The standard operating procedures (SOP) for passenger movement will be separately put out by the ministry, said the minister.

Just yesterday, Puri stated that the government alone cannot unilaterally take calls on resuming passenger flights unless state governments allow these services “in the spirit of cooperative federalism”.

Passenger flights have been suspended in the country since 25th March, when the first phase of lockdown was put in place.

Previously, the DGCA directed airlines to refrain from resuming online ticket bookings after Puri told them to restart the process only after a decision is taken to end the bar on domestic and international flight operations.

There is, however, no information yet on the resumption of international flights.

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