Domestic flights to resume operations from May 25

After nearly two months of suspension, domestic passenger flights operation will resume in the country from May 25 in a “calibrated manner”, the government said on Wednesday.

“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,” tweeted Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri.

He said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for passenger movement will be separately issued by the ministry.

Later, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued the amended lockdown guidelines, permitting air travel to facilitate stranded people in the country.

“In para 2(i), 'domestic air travel of passengers' is deleted from the list of prohibited activities. Detailed guidelines for operation of airports and air travel of passengers will be issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation,” said an MHA statement.

All the domestic passenger flight operations were suspended after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a nationwide lockdown on March 25 to contain the spread of novel coronavirus. However, cargo and evacuation flight services were allowed.

The fourth phase of the lockdown is scheduled to end on May 31.

On Tuesday, Puri had said that it is not only up to the Central government to decide on the resumption of domestic flights, as states will also have to be ready to allow civil aviation operations.

Meanwhile, airlines, travel operators and industry body FICCI have welcomed the government's decision to restore domestic passenger flight services in a phased manner, saying it will help in boosting the overall economic sentiment besides helping a large number of passengers.