Air India Opens Booking For Flights From May 4, Aviation Minister Clarifies No Decision Yet

National carrier Air India and largest private airline IndiGo announced that they will resume limited flight operations on 4th May, a day after the ongoing nationwide lockdown is scheduled to end.

On Saturday, Air India even announced that it has opened bookings for select domestic flights from May 4 onwards and also for international flights from June 1.

BCCL

In a notification on its website, Air India said, "In the light of the ongoing global health concerns, we have currently stopped accepting booking on all domestic flights for travel till 03rd May 2020 and on all international flights for travel till 31st May 2020". "Bookings for select domestic flights for travel from 04th May 2020 and for international flights for travel 01st June 2020 onwards are OPEN," Air India said.

Air India further said that the situation is being constantly reviewed and the customers shall be updated regularly.

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However, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has clarified that the government has not taken any decision as yet on the resumption of domestic or international flights. The Minister also advised the airlines to open their bookings only after the government's decision in this regard. "The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations," he wrote on Twitter.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations.

Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government.@MoCA_GoI @DGCAIndia @AAI_Official

¡ª Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 18, 2020

"Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the government," the minister added.

Earlier, IndiGo had announced that it would start flight operations in a phased manner from May 4. The private carrier has been taking bookings on select domestic flights since then.

BCCL

This comes as airlines, who are incurring huge losses due to the lockdown and subsequent booking cancellations are desperately trying to get back to the skies. All domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended during the lockdown. Only cargo flights and special flights authorised by aviation regulator DGCA have been permitted to operate during this period.

AFP

But even after the lockdown ends, the DGCA has reportedly planned to implement some social distancing measures at airports and on flights. These include keeping the middle seats and the last three rows empty to minimise contact between passengers. Airlines will also be asked to minimise onboard service to prevent close contact between the cabin crew and passengers.

Agency

Pre-packaged food will be kept on the seats before boarding while airlines could also allow passengers to carry their own food. Other measures will include boarding of just three rows at a time. Airports will be required to ensure a two-metre distancing during check-in and security check.