Open bookings only after govt decides on starting flight services: Aviation Minister to airlines

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said airlines are "advised" to open bookings only after the government takes a decision on starting domestic and international commercial passenger flight services.

"The Ministry of Civil Aviation clarifies that so far no decision has been taken to open domestic or international operations," he wrote on Twitter.

"Airlines are advised to open their bookings only after a decision in this regard has been taken by the government," the minister added.

Earlier in the day, Air India said it has opened bookings on select domestic flights from May 4 and on select international flights from June 1.

Four days ago, IndiGo had announced that it would start flight operations in a phased manner from May 4. The private carrier has been taking bookings on select domestic flights since then.

The first phase of the lockdown imposed in the country in view of the coronavirus outbreak was from March 25 to April 14 and the second phase that started on April 15 will end on May 3.

All domestic and international commercial passenger flight operations have been suspended during the lockdown period.

However, cargo flights and special flights authorised by aviation regulator DGCA have been permitted to operate during this period.

A notification on Air India's website said: "In the light of the ongoing global health concerns, we have currently stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till May 3, 2020, and on all international flights for travel till May 31, 2020."