India allows domestic flights to operate at full capacity amid demand surge | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

India allows domestic flights to operate at full capacity amid demand surge

By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
Oct 12, 2021 05:12 PM IST

Domestic airlines have been operating at 85% capacity since September 18 owing to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) measures.

Keeping in mind "passenger demand for air travel", the Union ministry of civil aviation on Tuesday announced that domestic flights will be allowed to operate at full capacity from October 18. Domestic airlines have been operating at 85% capacity since September 18 owing to coronavirus disease (Covid-19) measures.

Passengers queue as they arrive to catch domestic flights at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.(Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)
Passengers queue as they arrive to catch domestic flights at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.(Satyabrata Tripathy/HT Photo)

The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic had prompted the aviation ministry to limit the domestic flights to operate at 50% of their capacity between June 1 and July 5, which was relaxed to 65% up to August 12. The ministry further eased the limit to 72.5% between August 12 and September 18.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

In the latest order, the ministry stated that "it has been decided to restore the scheduled domestic air operation with effect from October 18, 2021, without any capacity restriction". The decision was taken after a “review of the current status of scheduled domestic operations viz-a-viz passenger demand for air travel", according to the order.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recently highlighted in a report that India’s domestic traffic reversed the trend, “as demand fell 44.8% in August, improved from a 58.9% decline in July versus July 2019, owing to positive trends in new cases and vaccination.”

A relatively lower number of daily new infections per capita has prompted the Central and state governments to ease restrictions in a bid to revive the economy. The massive nationwide vaccination drive has also helped to keep the fresh Covid-19 cases in check and let businesses reopen by following the standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the state governments.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Mukhtar Ansari Death News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On