Airlines Shut Bookings For Now; GoAir, SpiceJet To Open from May 16

Following strict directions from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and industry regulator DGCA, airlines in the country have stopped accepting bookings for travel from May 4.

Airlines Shut Bookings For Now; GoAir, SpiceJet To Open from May 16

After stringent calls by the DGCA of not opening up bookings for air travel amid lockdown, Go Air which was accepting booking until 10 am on April 20 has now joined its peers and shut travel searches for travel on May 4.

Amid all the chaos, DGCA chief has again reiterated that restrictions on airlines shall be lifted once the coronavirus situation comes under control.

Meanwhile, it has been announced that now while Indigo and Vistara will open their booking window from June 1, Spicejet and GoAir will commence their ticket booking from May 16.

As the lockdown was extended and airlines at first declined to offer refund against cancelled tickets, civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter and on April 18 "Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the Government."

Despite this counters were open at the airlines and to this airlines said they did not receive any clarification from the government to stop booking.

But soon addressing concerns the DGCA asks the carriers to "refrain from booking tickets...further the airlines may note that they will be given sufficient notice and time for restarting of operations."

Also, fares will be very competitive and for the Delhi-Mumbai flight for June 01 on Indigo is priced at Rs. 2500 and similar is the flight ticket cost on Spicejet for May 16.

It is to be further noted as and when airlines resume their services they will also have to forego one third of their capacity due to social distancing norms that will need to be adhered to.

GoodReturns.in