Aviation Ministry increases domestic flight passenger capacity from 50% to 65%

Indian carriers are w allowed to operate 15% more domestic flights, as government increased  cap from 50% to 65% of pre-COVID levels from Monday, July 5.  aviation government has been restricting both domestic fares and capacity during pandemic. Both have been justed in accordance with COVID situation.

Govt increases passenger capacity for domestic flights 

government order re, "After review of current status of scheduled domestic operations viz-a-viz passenger demand for air travel in terms of purpose specified in previous order 01/2020 dated 25.05.2020… 50% capacity may be re as 65% capacity."

From July 5, MoCA doubled passenger capacity, which will be in effect until July 31 or until future orders. All COVID Protocols are in place for domestic aviation operations. number of domestic passengers is growing as flying becomes a more popular, safe, and time-saving means of transportation. 1,74,905 passengers on 1,467 flights on July 4, 2021. 

Aviation Ministry increases domestic flight occupancy capacity

"Domestic aviation operations continue with all Covid Protocols in place. number of domestic passengers increases as flying emerges as a preferred, safe & time-saving mode of transport. On 4 July 2021, 1,74,905 passengers on 1,467 flights. Total flight movements: 2,938," Hardeep Singh Puri, civil aviation minister, tweeted.

For first time after May 2020, government reduced domestic airline capacity from 80% (summer schedule 2020) to 50% starting June 1 (in an order dated May 28) to protect airlines' viability in wake of a sudden spike in COVID-19 cases across country, as well as a drop in passenger traffic and passenger lo factor. Due to increase in fuel prices, government also increased upper limit on airfare by roughly 14%. civil aviation ministry allowed airlines to expand ir flying capacity from 70% to 80% of pre-COVID levels on December 3 of last year.

Following a two-month suspension of all flying operations, government began allowing domestic flights on May 25, 2020, with a capacity of 33% of pre-covid levels, which was n boosted to 45% in June and so on. However, beginning in March 2021, passenger traffic began to decline, prompting airlines to petition government to reduce seating capacity from 80% to 60%.

Picture Credit: @RyanMuddGolf/Twitter