The fourth phase of the lockdown in India has seen several relaxations with respect to the movement of people and goods.
Today, Union Minister for Civil Aviation, Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted that domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from 25th May 2020.
Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 20, 2020
All airports & air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May.
SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by @MoCA_GoI.
He also asked all airports & air carriers to be ready for operations from 25th May.
The announcement comes a day after Puri said the Centre alone cannot unilaterally decide on resuming passenger flights without the cooperation of state governments.
It is not upto @MoCA_GoI or centre alone to decide on resuming domestic flights.
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 19, 2020
In the spirit of cooperative federalism, the govt of states where these flights will take off & land should be ready to allow civil aviation operations.@DGCAIndia @AAI_Official @PIB_India
As major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai, etc. continue to remain in ‘red zone’, a green signal from the state governments will be required to resume operations from these areas.
Certain state governments have already expressed their apprehensions of allowing entry of people from other states.
As domestic flights resume operations, the civil aviation ministry is working towards formulating a new set of guidelines for both passengers and staff. These guidelines will include mandatory social distancing, revisions in security procedures to ensure minimal contact, use of face masks and personal protective equipment.
While the passenger flights, both domestic and international, have been suspended in the country since 25th March, there has been no word on the resumption of international flights, yet.
