In a positive move, state-run airlines Air India has started taking bookings for traveling to select domestic destinations from May 4 and from June 1 for international routes. "Bookings for select domestic flights for travel from May 4, 2020, and for international flights for travel from June 1, 2020, are open. The situation is being constantly reviewed and we shall keep you updated," a statement on the Air India website read on Saturday.
The select domestic routes include important metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
It is expected that India is in its last phase of lockdown as the Centre has given a go-ahead to lift the restrictions in a staggered manner. The Centre has relaxed curbs in non-hotspots starting April 20. However, despite the ease of restrictions in certain areas, the national air passenger carrier reiterated that it was not taking any booking for domestic flights for travel till May 3, the last day of the current lockdown. Air India has also stopped taking bookings for international flights till May 31. "In the light of the ongoing global health concerns, we have currently stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till May 3, 2020, and on all international flights for travel till May 31, 2020," the airline stated.
At the same time, airlines and aviation regulator DGCA are in talks to put in place new passenger guidelines for travel in the post-COVID-19 world, with more emphasise on physical distancing and personal hygiene.
Most of the airlines had suspended international travel in early March. Domestic flying was suspended after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a 21-day lockdown in the third week of March. However, on Tuesday, he further extended the lockdown further to May 3, making it a 40-day nationwide shutdown.
Meanwhile, airlines including SpiceJet and Air India have been sending its planes for cargo duties across the country and on international routes, such as to destinations in China, from where the novel coronavirus outbreak started in December and eventually turned into a pandemic.