Aviation Sector Gear Up To Begin Bookings Even With No Call On Lockdown

Earlier airlines were slammed by the DGCA for reopening bookings even as the nationwide lockdown remained in force but still some of the air carriers have again reopened bookings. This highlights the extent to which the industry has been hit due to Covid 19.
Also, the airlines were asked to refund air fare to passengers who were not able to travel due to the suspension of flights from 25 March to 14 April for travel between 25 March and 3 May.

Also, amid such a calamity to woo customers, companies have been offering attractive fares say a one-way ticket for a New Delhi- Mumbai will be available for just Rs. 2500 while Bengaluru to New Delhi flight on Go Air will costs Rs. 3164.

As per aviation consultant Capa India, all the stakeholders in the aviation industry will post a loss of $3- 3.6 billion in the quarter ended June due to Covid 19. And this eagerness to start of the flight services even when there is no green signal from the regulator is indicative of the deep stress the industry is confronting.

So far the government has not come out with a bail-out package for the aviation or hospitality which has bore the most brunt of Covid 19 and so "airlines are doing whatever necessary to survive," the official said.

Status of refunds on cancelled tickets

As more and more customers ask for full refund and do not intend to go for the 'credit shell' that would be valid for 1 year, airlines are loading the refund amount in the wallet and not in cash.

This is also impacting travel agents as amid such a situation they are left with no option but to meet refunds from their own cash flow.

Airlines that are to resume bookings

From May 16, GoAir and Spicejet will open up flight bookings, while others such as Vistara, AirAsia India and IndiGo will resume booking tickets for flights from 1 June.

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