Air fares to be capped for next 3 months: Aviation Ministry on domestic flight resumption
New Delhi/IBNS: The Civil Aviation Ministry has issued a strict guideline for the airlines while resuming domestic flight operations, where it has stated that tickets will have to be priced between Rs 3,500 and 10,000 for the next three month.
Airlines will resume one-third of domestic flights from Monday and will gradually scale up the operations after being halted for about two months due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing the new rules, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "Flight durations have been divided in 7 categories - 0-30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, 60-90 minutes, 90-120 minutes, 120-150 minutes, 150-180 minutes, and 180-210 minutes.... For example, the minimum fare for a Delhi-Mumbai flight will be Rs.3,500 and the maximum fare will be Rs 10,000. This will be applicable for three months."
He informed that after the domestic flights' services are eased, the issue of international ones will be addressed by the ministry.
Operations will start on 1/3 of the approved Summer schedule for domestic routes in a calibrated manner from 25 May 2020 & will be scaled up gradually.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 21, 2020
After domestic travel has been eased, we will address the issue of international travel depending on the evolving situation.
The minister also said that 40 per cent of the seats on a flight must be priced less than 50 per cent of the price band.
Puri also refuted reports of special social distancing measures onboard flights, stating, "At the moment, the decision has been taken that the middle seat will not be left vacant."
However, the passengers will have to wear masks and declare themselves fit for travel by registering on Aarogya Setu, the government's coronavirus tracing application.
They will be also screened at the airport before they can board the flight.
No meals will be provided to the passengers and the crew will have to put on full protective gear.
The partial resumption of air travel comes as India's coronavirus cases crossed 1.12 lakh with a record single-day hike of 5,609 infections on Wednesday. The death toll stood at 3,435, Union Health Ministry informed.
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