The COVID-19 outbreak and the lockdown which followed have had a devastating impact on the economy.While almost all the industries have taken a hit the travel and tourism industry have taken a pounding.Initially starting with international and later domestically tour operators, resorts and hotels saw cancellations and postponements on a scale that has never seen before.?
This also reflected in the aviation industry, which was already struggling due to the reducing passengers and growing restrictions on flying to their international routes.Initially many of the airlines had tried scaling down their operations but after the lockdown was announced, the airlines too had no option but to suspend service.?
This has taken a toll on the airline companies who have been forced to refund customers who had already booked tickets.This is not the only loss they have incurred. For every passing day, the airlines have to pay parking and housing charges that an airline has to pay the airport to park its planes.?
There are about 650 aircraft belonging to the likes of IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and GoAir that have been grounded at various airports.?
The fees depend on the weight of the flight and the amount could run into lakhs of Rupees every day. Airlines have approached the government to waive off these parking charges, on which a decision is yet to be taken.?
As of now both domestic and international flights are suspended till May 3 and there is no clarity on what happens after that.Still, many are planning to resume operations from May 4.?
Meanwhile most airlines have again decided not to refund customers in cash for their cancelled flights and instead have offered them rescheduling of tickets for a later date without any additional fee.?
"Following orders from the Ministry of Civil Aviation issued to all airlines, we have extended the suspension of our operations until May 3, 2020."We are in the process of cancelling the affected bookings and we will offer customers free of charge rescheduling to another date until December 31, 2020," a Vistara spokesperson said in a statement.?
The customer, however, will have to pay the fare difference, if any, at the time of rebooking, the airline said.?
A GoAir spokesperson said that it has already "factored in" these type of scenario and that the airline will review its earlier scheme of providing rescheduling free of cost at a later date while protecting their existing bookings for one year.?
"In accordance with the Prime Minister¡¯s instructions and the DGCA¡¯s circular, GoAir has suspended all its flights till May 3," GoAir said in a statement on Tuesday.The airline also said it is extending its ''Protect Your PNR'' scheme till May 3, 2020 wherein customers are eligible to reschedule their flight by May 3, 2021.The airline had on Monday announced that it was extending the ¡°Protect Your PNR¡± scheme till April 30, 2020.?
SpiceJet also said that it is in the process of making cancellation on flight bookings. "Upon cancellation your entire amount will be maintained in a credit shell and the same may be used to make fresh booking and travel till 28 February 2021 for the same passenger," it added.?
India¡¯s largest airline IndiGo said on Tuesday that it will resume flight operations May 4 onwards, initially with a curtailed capacity. The airline said it will increase the operating capacity going ahead over the subsequent months, also re-opening some international flights.?
"Initially, starting with a slightly curtailed capacity, the airline will increase the operating capacity over the subsequent months, also reopening selected international flights, depending on the existing international travel guidelines," the airline said in its press release. "In its endeavour to reconnect critical air corridors post the lockdown, IndiGo, India's leading airline will resume flight operations from May 4, 2020," the airline said in a statement.?
However, not every airline will be taking to the skies after the coronavirus lockdown is over.Regional airliner Air Deccan announced on Sunday that it is ceasing its operations until further notice and all employees are being put on sabbatical without pay, the first Indian aviation company to succumb to the crisis.?
"Air Deccan has no choice but to cease its operations until further notice. With heavy heart, I am also compelled to inform that all existing employees of Air Deccan (permanent, temporary and contractual) are being put on sabbatical without pay with immediate effect,¡± Air Deccan CEO A K Singh said in an email to employees.? ?