Domestic flight capacity of airlines raised to 80% of pre-Covid levels

The Centre on Thursday allowed domestic airlines to ramp up their operations to 80 per cent of pre-Covid approved capacity from the existing 70 per cent stipulation. This will help airlines in adding more flights on existing as well as new sectors as flight operations inch towards normalcy.

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that on November 30, 2.52 lakh passengers travelled on domestic flights compared with 30,000 that travelled on May 25 — the day domestic passenger operations recommenced after staying shut for nearly two months due to Covid-19 lockdown.

Upon resumption of flights in May, the airlines were allowed to operate not more than 33 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights. On June 26, this was increased to 45 per cent and on September 2, it was further increased to 60 per cent. On November 11, it was increased to 70 per cent.