(TAN): Domestic air travel will resume in India from May 25 after a shutdown of two months that was introduced to contain the spread of COVID-19.
The government has permitted one-third of the summer schedule to begin operations across the country, and said flights will be increased “in a calibrated manner”. It has also set limits on fares so that carriers do not initially charge “excessive fares” from customers, and only those only with “essential purposes” can travel.
The Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter to confirm the news.
“Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020. All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May. Standard Operating Procedures for passenger movement are also being separately issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” he tweeted.
Puri also said the ministry will consider restarting international travel based on developments that ensue from the reopening of domestic operations.
“Operations will start on 1/3 of the approved summer schedule for domestic routes in a calibrated manner from 25 May 2020 and will be scaled up gradually. After domestic travel has been eased, we will address the issue of international travel depending on the evolving situation,” he said in another tweet.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has laid down a host of guidelines that have to be followed by all passengers. They have been directed to pick up safety kits that include a three-layer surgical mask and hand sanitiser at the boarding gates before boarding their respective aircraft, and wear the mask and sanitise their hands before getting their boarding passes scanned. Passengers have also been advised to scan their e-boarding passes themselves and follow physical distancing norms while boarding.
Onboard the flight, passengers have been asked to minimise movement in the aisles, and the use of toilets. While they will not be offered any food or newspaper onboard, passengers have been asked not to eat anything during their journey. They are to immediately report to the crew if they feel any discomfort.
The ministry will allow limited luggage – one check-in bag and one cabin bag for flyers who must report at the airport two hours ahead. They are required to certify their health conditions through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form.
Airlines will be able to charge fares from passengers based on the sector their flight covers, the ministry said in a statement. The government has categorised the routes into eight sectors with a list of minimum and maximum fares each sector is worth. Airlines will be able to charge between INR 2,000 (USD 26.39 approximately) and INR 6,000 for sector A, INR 2,500 to 7,500 for sector B, INR 3,000 to INR 9,000 for sector C, INR 3,500 to INR 10,000 for sector D, INR 4,500 to INR 13,000 for sector E, INR 5,500 to INR 15,700 for sector F, and INR 6,500 to INR 18,600 for sector G.
The directive will remain effective until 2359 hours on August 24, the ministry said.
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