Published 22:39 IST, April 18th 2020
Centre clarifies no decision on resuming flights post-COVID lockdown on May 4
A day after Air India declared select resuming domestic flights post May 3, the Central Government clarifies that there is no decision as yet on flights
Hours after Air India declared select resuming domestic flights post May 3, the Central Government, on Saturday clarified that there is no decision as yet on the resumption of domestic or passenger flights. This has been confirmed by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, who tweeted that airlines were advised to open bookings only after Centre's decision. Currently, the Centre has extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, amid the wide spread COVID-19 pandemic.
Centre: No decision on domestic or international flights
Air India announces resuming services
Earlier in the day, the government carrier Air India announced it has opened bookings on select domestic and international routes from May 4 and June 1, respectively. It had stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till May 3, 2020, and on all international flights for travel till May 31, 2020 till now. On April 3, Air India had said it has stopped bookings, both domestic and international, till the end of the month.
"Bookings for select domestic flights for travel from May 4, 2020, and for international flights for travel from June 1, 2020 onwards are open," a notification on Air India's website said.
Coronavirus in India
As of date, 12289 active cases have been reported of the pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) - 2014 have been discharged and Maharashtra reported the highest at 3323. 488 deaths have been reported till date. India has suspended all visas and barred travel from Afghanistan, Philippines, EU, UK, China, Malaysia and mandatory 14-day quarantine from several other countries. PM Modi has extended the lockdown till May 3, with a relaxation possibility in non-COVID hotspots after April 20.
Updated 22:51 IST, April 18th 2020