Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation today and extended the lockdown period until May 03, 2020, to combat coronavirus. After the statement was released, Civil Aviation Minister of India Hardeep Singh Puri marked that ban on Indian airlines might end on May 03, 2020. The ban if lifted, will be applied in both domestic and international operations. Though, All the airlines who are operating cargo and rescue flights will be exempted from the ban as they are providing essential commodities and they will be allowed to fly in the lockdown period.
IndiGo and GoAir Might Extend Booking Dates
Earlier, IndiGo and GoAir stated that they will start taking domestic bookings from April 15, 2020. Since the government has extended the lockdown period for another 19 days, airlines have postponed all the operations until April 30, 2020. the government-owned carrier Air India earlier stated that they would not take bookings until April 30, 2020. It is also expected that domestic airlines will increase the price of flight tickets as the entire aviation industry is already facing massive losses due to the extended ban on domestic and international operations. As the airlines will operate at 50 % of their capacity, the prices will be hiked once the ban is lifted.
Air India Might Operate More Rescue Flights
Air India has been serving the nation in difficult times. The government-owned carrier operated various rescue flights to various international destinations to save people stuck in the virus affected cities and bring them to a safer place. Not only this, but the carrier has also been operating several cargo flights which were supplying essential medical supplies which are the prime need of the nation. Though Air India has been facing financial distress as the carrier is not receiving any monetary gain by operating rescue and cargo flights. Still, the airline is doing its best to ensure that people are safe and free from the clutches of Covid-19.
