Domestic Flights To Resume With 33% Capacity, Minimum Fare Rs 3,500, Says Govt; Check Full Pricing

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday unveiled the action plan being designed to operate domestic flights across India.

All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May. (Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Thursday unveiled the action plan being designed to operate domestic flights across India. "We will recommence domestic civil aviation operation from Monday May 25 in a calibrated means. All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May," he said during a press conference. Elaborating the criteria drawn under 'calibrated means' , HS Puri explained that flights will operate to a limited extent. He mentioned that for the operation from Metro to Metro cities, 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020, which is more than 33.33 per cent will operate. Similarly, for operation from Metro to Non-metro cities and vice-versa, where weekly departures are greater than 100, 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020 has been allowed to run.

Domestic civil aviation operations to recommence / restart in a calibrated manner, from May 25, 2020, up to a limited extent of required and approved summer schedule - Civil Aviation Minister @HardeepSPuri

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 21, 2020

Clarifying on what metro cities are covered in this qualification, Minister mentioned Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru and Kolkata. "For operations from metro to non-metro cities and vice-versa, where weekly departures is less than 100, airlines free to operate any routes of 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020. For all other cities, airlines are free to use 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020," the Civil Aviation Minister added. Flight routes have been classified into 7: 1) Flight time less than 40 minutes 2) Flight time between 40 - 60 minutes 3) Flight time between 60 - 90 minutes 4) Flight time between 90 - 120 minutes 5) Flight time between 120 - 150 minutes 6) Flight time between 150 - 180 minutes 7) Flight time between 180 - 210 minutes All routes within country fall within these 7. Puri also stated that the government has decided to set a minimum and a maximum fare for these flights. "In the case of Delhi, Mumbai the minimum fare would be Rs 3500 for a journey between 90-120 minutes, maximum fare would be Rs 10,000. This is operative for 3 months - till one minute to midnight on August 24," he said.

No in-flight meals Cabin crew in full protective gear Only 1 check-in bag Passengers to report at least 2 hours before departure Fares to be regulated, within fixed range - @HardeepSPuri announces measures to be followed, on graded opening up of domestic passenger flights

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 21, 2020

"40 per cent of seats have to be sold at a fare less than the midpoint of the band. For example, midpoint of Rs 3,500 and Rs 10,000 is Rs 6700. So, 40 per cent of the seats have to be sold at a price less than Rs 6,700. This is how we are ensuring that fares don't go out of control," Civil Aviation Secretary informed during the press conference. The cabin crew will be required to be in full protective gear. Only one check-in bag will be allowed. Passengers should report before at least 2 hours before departure time. Fares will be regulated and will be in a fixed range. The Ministry also clarified that a self-declaration or Aarogya Setu App status on a compatible device would be obtained to ensure that a passenger is free of Coronavirus symptoms. Passenger with red status on Aarogya Setu App will not be allowed to travel.  Even passengers will require to wear protective gear, face mask and carry sanitizer bottle. Airlines shall not provide meal on board. Water bottles will be made available in gallery area or on seats. Union Minister also clarified about the operations of International passenger flights saying that "based on our experience on opening up of domestic flights, we might have to tweak some procedures, only then we will think about international flights."

We don't plan to leave the middle seat vacant, this does not meet the physical distancing requirement. We take other corresponding preventive measures. Keeping seat vacant will pass cost increase to customers, this option has not been pursued the world over. - @HardeepSPuri pic.twitter.com/qMNrYsUt7W

— PIB India #StayHome #StaySafe (@PIB_India) May 21, 2020

Ever since the imposition of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country on March 25, passenger air services were suspended for both scheduled domestic and international flights.