Covid-19 impact: DGCA bars airlines from new bookings until further clarity

Under Aircraft Act, 1934, the government has emergency power to make rules to safeguard national security and public health

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Sunday prevented all airlines from taking bookings till a final decision on lifting or easing restrictions on resuming air travel is announced. “It is brought to the notice of all concerned that no decision to commence flights on May 4 has been taken. All airlines are directed to refrain from booking tickets,” the DGCA order said.

A formal ban on forward bookings from the aviation regulator came after a tweet from Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. It was only government-owned Air India which closed bookings after the minister’s tweet, while private airline