India’s airlines to restart domestic operations from May 25

India’s airlines will resume thier domestic flight operations from 25th May. “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020,” twitted Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Tuesday. “All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May,” said Puri, adding that SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) for passenger movement are also being separately issued by Union Ministry of Civil Aviation. Speaking to ANI,

the minister said that all seats on planes will be available for booking, ruling out the possibility of leaving middle seat in flights vacant.

The Minister said that initiall only a small percentage of the total number of domestic flights would be operated. “Then depending on the experience we gain, we will increase the number of flights,” added Puri. He further said that

Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) should not be made so onerous that they are difficult to be followed. “We’ve now reached a happy balance and SOPs will be announced soon. Those will be the norms for some time.”

The Minister informed that his ministry is looking at some basic measures that could be taken relating to capping prices of airline tickets, but those will be comfortable.

The government is getting ready to restart domestic flight operations for all parts of the country. Puri said that the operation of flights in all parts of the country, including Kolkata will commence, but, the weather and climatic conditions in Kolkata may not permit flight services at present.

There is no clarity as to when international flights will restart.

-ANI