Centre says 'resuming international flights depends on countries opening their borders'

While India's Coronavirus (COVID-19) recovery rate increases to 54.13%, Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, on Saturday clarified that resuming international flights depended on or countries opening ir international borders, at a press briefing. He ded that currently, ministry is looking at increasing domestic flights operating daily - from 700 to 1000-1500 flights. As of date, to 2,75,000 Indians, who were stranded in foreign countries, have been brought back to country amid lockdown - with over 1 lakh via 'Vande Bharat' mission.

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Here are key points of Civil Aviation ministry briefing:

• India needs air to be open for international operations and need border acceptance for international operations to resume. Resumption of international flights depends on opening of airports in or countries.
• India also needs to check allowance level for domestic and international traffic. rmal international flights cant operate when conditions are imposed across borders. re is a significant amount of traffic between India & rth American continent. We may think of opening flights on a case to case basis
• In coming days, we are going to d more flights. Around 40,000 passengers were flown back in chartered flights and 300 ditional flights to be operated by Air India for third, fourth phases of repatriation
• Close to 2,75,000 Indians, who were stranded in foreign countries, have been brought back to country in flights and ships during lockdown
• When asked about fluctuation in ticket prices on 'Vande Bharat' flights, he said, "All tickets prices were me available online. re was complete transparency".
• Domestic private carriers have been offered to operate 750 repatriation flights in 3rd, 4th phases of Vande Bharat Mission
• From that lockdown w Centre is running 700 flights every day. Aiming to increase it to 1,000 or 1500. Via domestic operations - 60-65k people are travelling daily.
• Centre rubbished reports claiming n-clearance of individuals to return to ir countries, saying that if one carries an entry permit to go back to a country, thing can prevent one from travelling.

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' verse effect on COVID spre due to flights': Centre

Centre also clarified that re was verse impact on spre of Coronavirus due to aviation movement. dressing briefing, Aviation Secretary P S Kharola said, " We opened up domestic flights in co-operation with all stakeholders. Very heartening to kw that all passengers are taking boarding passes at home. process of bagg drop has become totally contactless".

He ded, " verse impact on spre of corona due to aviation movement. Upper and lower limits on airfares may be extended beyond August 24 depending on how situation pans out". Previously, Civil aviation ministry h hinted at resuming international flights from August.

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International flights by August-September

On May 23, Puri h said that by August-September, a 'good percent' of international flights will begin operation. He ded that while he is aiming to start international flights from mid-June, as per ongoing rate of growth in Coronavirus infections, ministry is confident that a fair number of international flights will commence operation by August. India started domestic flight operations by May 25.

Will try to start a good percent of international flights before August: Aviation Min