Domestic Flights News: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has given its approval to 12,983 weekly domestic flights of airlines for the winter schedule that begins on Sunday and ends on March 27 next year. This is 44 per cent fewer domestic flights than last winter. The aviation regulator had approved 23,307 weekly domestic flights in last year’s winter schedule. Also Read – Unlock 5: International Air Travel, Except Those Permitted by MHA, to Remain Shut Till Oct 31
Currently, airlines in India are allowed to operate a maximum 60 per cent of pre-COVID weekly domestic flights. Also Read – International Flights: Lufthansa Cancels India-Germany Flights From Sept 30 After Row With Centre
The DGCA said on Sunday it has approved 6,006 weekly domestic flights of IndiGo for this year’s winter schedule. IndiGo is India’s largest airline. Also Read – Rajya Sabha Passes Aircraft Amendment Bill 2020, To Become Act Soon | All You Need to Know
SpiceJet and GoAir have got 1,957 weekly domestic flights and 1,203 weekly domestic flights approved, the regulator said.
In comparison to last year’s winter schedule, when 23,307 weekly domestic services were approved by the DGCA, this year’s winter schedule has got just 55.7 per cent (12,983 flights) of those flights approved, according to the aviation regulator.
These 55.7 per cent flights will be operating from 95 Indian airports between October 25 and March 27, 2021, the DGCA said.
India resumed scheduled domestic flights on May 25 after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus pandemic. At that time, airlines were permitted to operate just 33 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights. This figure was gradually increased in the later months.
(With agency inputs)
