Aviation Ministry Allows Domestic Airlines to Operate At 65% Capacity

Amid the increasing demand for domestic flights, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt of India on Monday allow domestic airlines to operate with 15% more capacity. Now domestic airlines can operate at 65% capacity of pre-COVID levels vs 50% earlier until July 31 or till further orders.

“Attention Travellers! Considering the increasing passengers’ demand for domestic air travel, the capacity of domestic civil aviation operations will be increased to 65% from 50% from the date of issue of this order & up to 31.07.2021 or until further orders,” said Ministry of Civil Aviation in a tweet.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India had put a cap on domestic airlines’ capacity utilization to prop up financially weak airlines when the COVID-19 pandemic had choked air travel.

However, given that daily domestic air passengers had nearly touched 1,60,000 people and is likely to rise to 1,70,000 by the end of this week, the ministry decided to revise the cap on seating capacity.