Airlines To Increase Capacity

When the government reopened airline services on May 25, the capacity was limited to only a third of its original numbers. However, a decision has been made now to allow airlines to operate at 45% capacity. This was done keeping in mind the slowly increasing demand for air travel, which the former restriction could not support.

When domestic flights resumed after a two-month suspension, most flights were operating at a 25% capacity despite the one-third allowed by the government. This was because people were apprehensive of the safety protocols involved in air travel. However, as more and more people are slowly reverting to air travel for business or work purposes, there has been a steady climb in numbers. DGCA has stated that once domestic travel increases to about 50%, international flights may be resumed. As of now, the government is engaged in talks of creating individual bilateral travel bubbles with many countries around the world. If successful, international flights on specific routes may open from July 15.

In an effort to reassure people and boost domestic travel, airports have also taken strict safety protocols. All contact surfaces are being disinfected multiple times throughout the day and most services like check-ins and ordering food at the airport will now shift their base online as an effort to enforce social distancing.