Domestic Airlines Plan To Resume Flights From 4 May With Low Capacity

Even as there is no clarity on another extension in the nationwide lockdown or resumption of domestic and international flight services, Indian airlines have been making plans to restart from 4 May with low capacity to maintain social distancing and with high sanitisation.

On Wednesday, full-service airline, Vistara, in a statement said that it will resume flight services in a phased manner from 4 May.

"While the situation remains fluid, we plan to resume services in a phased manner starting 4 May 2020," the joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines said.

"We will make every effort to protect the health safety of our customers and staff, following all regulatory guidelines as well as by adopting certain important, stringent preventive measures proactively," it added.

Earlier, on the same day, IndiGo Airlines also said it will resume its operations from 4 May in a phased manner, beginning with domestic operations and adding international routes later.

"In its endeavour to reconnect critical air corridors post the lockdown, IndiGo, India's leading airline, will resume flight operations from May 04, 2020. Initially starting with a slightly curtailed capacity, the airline will increase the operating capacity over the subsequent months, also re- opening selected international flights, depending on the existing international travel guidelines," the airline said in a statement.

These airlines also said that they will be following social distancing and sanitisation protocols, as per regulatory norms.

Airlines are facing cash crunch amid the grounding of flights in an already competitive sector. News reports suggest that airlines have been asking its staff to go on leave without pay due to the revenue loss.

For flights already booked by customers for travel till 3 May, these airlines offered credit rather than a refund.

These businesses are working with the government not only regarding restarting flight services with high sanitary protocols but for support package for the industry.