DGCA extends domestic flight restrictions, fare brackets to November 24

The Centre has extended restrictions on domestic flights till November 24 from August 24 earlier. In a notification late Friday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that flight capacity curbs — as per which airlines are only allowed to deploy 45 per cent of the pre-COVID capacity on domestic routes — and fare brackets have been extended for three more months with a month left to go for the earlier deadline.

“The current situation with respect to coronavirus spread in the country warrants this (decision),” a senior government official told The Indian Express. The government had put in place these curbs on May 21, ahead of restarting domestic flight operations May 25 onwards, two months after they were fully prohibited.