In view of the coronavirus outbreak, the Indian government has decided to suspend all domestic air travel from Wednesday. However, the restrictions shall not apply to cargo flights. “Operations of domestic scheduled commercial airlines shall cease with effect from midnight on March 24. The restrictions shall not apply to cargo flights,” News Agency ANI tweeted.

Highlights

  • All domestic flights will be suspended from Wednesday
  • The government’s announcement came as the number of coronavirus cases rose to 415

India has already stopped schedule international flights for a week, as of now, from March 22. From Tuesday-Wednesday midnight no passenger flight is allowed in India. Only cargo and evacuation flights cleared on a case-to-case basis will be allowed in the commercial space.

“The operations of domestic schedule commercial airlines shall cease operations with effect from midnight, that is 11.59 pm (India time), on March 24. Airlines have to plan operations so as to land at their destination before 23:59 hours on March 24. The restrictions shall not apply to solely cargo-carrying flights,” the aviation ministry said.

The lockdowns in several cities is making it difficult for both passengers, crew and staffers of airlines, airports, health and other departments to commute between airports and their homes/hotels.

On Sunday, the Delhi government’s lockdown order had sought stopping of all domestic and international flights and had asked Airports Authority of India (AAI) chairman to ensure strict compliance of the same. But the Centre maintained that aviation is an essential service and Delhi airport will remain operational for domestic flights.

On Tuesday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee requested Prime Minister Modi to “stop all flights coming to West Bengal with immediate effect.” She wrote: “…we are seriously concerned that the government of India is still allowing operation of flights causing a huge breach of shutdown… I would, therefore, request you to kindly arrange to issue necessary instructions to stop all flights coming to West Bengal with immediate effect so that the source of spreading infection is effectively contained and lockdown in the state is implemented in true letter and spirit.” Bengal’s lockdown begins at 5 pm Monday.
However, Delhi on Monday — day one of the lockdown with no public transport services including Delhi Metro, private buses, taxis, and auto-rickshaws — saw traffic jams on the sealed borders of UP (leading to Noida and Ghaziabad) and Haryana (Gurgaon and Faridabad). Passengers, crew, and others who need to commute between IGI Airport and their homes come from all over NCR and faced a lot of trouble.

With several states and their capitals in lockdown making it tough for anyone — passengers, crew and other people working at airports — to commute, the government has now decided to stop domestic flights from Wednesday midnight.
Other countries are also stopping passenger flights. UAE, for instance, will not allow any passenger flight, except special evacuation ones, from March 25.

Also Read: Uber, Ola to Suspend Services in Delhi Till March 31