Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter on Monday to reiterate that no flights would operate until the spread of the novel coronavirus disease is controlled effectively and it poses no danger to the citizens. In a series of tweets, the minister said a directive was issued on Sunday to airlines, restraining them from doing open bookings.
“I want to once again say that flight restrictions that are in place as a result of India’s fight against COVID-19 will be lifted once we are confident that spread of the virus has been controlled and it poses no danger to our country and people,” he tweeted. His comments came after media reports suggested some airlines had opened flight bookings starting May 4, expecting the lockdown to be lifted by then.
The minister said,”since some airlines did not heed our advisory and opened bookings, and started collecting money from flyers, a directive was issued to them on April19, restraining them from doing so. They were also informed that they will be given sufficient notice and time to commence bookings.”
While Government-run Air India stopped the bookings after the government’s advisory, private carriers ignored it and continued taking bookings for travel after May 3, prompting the aviation regulator Director General of Civil Aviation to issue a circular on Sunday.
“All airlines are hereby directed to refrain from booking tickets... Further, the airlines may note that they shall be given sufficient notice and time for restarting operations,” the circular said.
All domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended for the lockdown period.