Modi government’s big order for airline companies, know how many flights are allowed

The Ministry of Civil Aviation said on Thursday that the limit for Indian airline companies to operate domestic flights would remain 80 percent of the level before Covid-19, till March 31 or the summer schedule begins. The ministry had set the 80 percent limit on December 3, 2020, but did not specify by which date it would stay. The summer timetable begins in late March for all airline companies. Aviation regulator DGCA approves timetables for all airlines that include both summer and winter timetables.

The ministry said in the order, “As per the current status of Covid-19, the Central Government orders that the order issued on December 3, 2020, or the date of commencement of summer schedule 2021 will remain in force till 11 O’clock at 59.00 on March 31, 2021, whichever is earlier or until further orders.” After a lapse of two months due to the lockdown enforced due to coronavirus, the ministry resumed scheduled domestic passenger services from May 25, 2020.

However, airlines were not allowed to operate more than 33 percent of pre-Covid domestic flights. It was raised to 45 percent on 26 June and it was increased to 60 percent on 2 September, 70 percent on 11 November and 80 percent in December. Scheduled international passenger traffic in India is suspended since March 23, 2020, due to the coronavirus epidemic. However, special international flights have been operating since July 2020 under ‘air bubble’ arrangements with various countries.