Airlines and Trains are Allowing Reservations From April 15 Onwards

With Cabinet Minister Rajiv Gauba announcing that the centre has no plans to increase the duration of the lockdown, Indian railways and domestic airlines are accepting reservations from April 15 (the 21- day lockdown announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is due to end on April 14).

The Ministry of Railways has mentioned that reservations for post April 14 were never stopped, according to news reports. Since the reservation time for early booking is 120 days in advance, there was no requirement to stop the booking for trains functioning after the lockdown. 

Domestic airlines such as SpiceJet, Indigo, and GoAir are showing open reservations on online mediums, however the airlines have not addressed the issue in any announcements. 

Since the lockdown has completely banned travel for a few weeks, reservations for April 15 have already been filled, and are extending into waitlists. 

Bus services are also going to resume soon, with tickets getting booked quick, even with a hike in the prices. 

On March 23, the Indian Railways had announced that they will be ceasing operations till March 31, which was later extended to April 14. International and domestic flights were also stopped on account of the pandemic till March 31, and now till April 14.  

According to Business Line, travel operators have been getting many inquiries from mostly businesspeople and corporate groups. Leisure travelling is expected to take some time to pick up pace.  

Nevertheless, this is a tiny glimmer of hope that things may be settling back into normalcy.