Domestic Flights Occupancy Can’t Be More Than 80%; Fare Cap Will Continue Till May 31

By Arpita Last updated Apr 27, 2021

The aviation authority has limited flight capacity of domestic flights at 80% and also has extended fare capping

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has extended fare capping on domestic flights. The aviation authority has also limited the flight capacity of domestic flights at 80% of pre -Covid levels till May 31.

According to the latest statement of the aviation authority, this new move has been done in view of the prevailing situation of Covid 19 in the country.

Restrictions for Domestic Flights Operation

Earlier, the aviation regulator had approved 18,843 flights per week from 108 airports for the summer schedule which begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October.

The civil aviation ministry on December 3, 2020, proposed the 80 per cent limit. It did not specify how long it will be in effect.

Fare caps were implemented after the government permitted domestic air operations to resume in May of last year, following a two-month grounding of flight operations to contain the covid-19 pandemic.

Due to a renewed increase in coronavirus cases, some states have introduced restrictions such as mandatory RT-PCR checks, which has resulted in a decrease in the number of air passengers, according to Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

“Last few days have seen a decline in the number of air passengers largely due to restrictions and imposition of compulsory RT-PCR test by various states. Due to this, we have decided to retain the permissible limit to 80 per cent of the schedule,” Puri had said.

Restrictions For International Flight Operation

In the last month, the Director-General of Civil Aviation issued a circular extending the suspension of international flights until April 30. International scheduled flights will be permitted on some routes by the authority.

“In partial modification of circular dated 26-6-2020, the competent authority has further extended the validity of circular issued on the above subject regarding Scheduled International commercial passenger services to/from India till 2359 hrs IST of April 30. This restriction shall not apply to international all-cargo operations and flights specifically approved by DGCA” a circular stated.