Govt Allows Private Jets, Charter Flights on Domestic Routes

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday allowed the resumption of private jets, chartered flights and helicopters on all domestic routes.

This comes A day after domestic flights re-opened amid confusion and chaos.

While releasing the order, the Aviation Ministry said that the same set of guidelines will apply for passengers and crew on ‘non-scheduled and private aircraft’ as on regular domestic passenger flights.

Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has allowed domestic air services by "non-scheduled and private (general aviation) operators (fixed-wing/helicopters/microlight aircraft)". pic.twitter.com/NFeOACGrVm

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Passengers have been advised to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the departure for thermal screening and COVID-19 symptom checking. “Vulnerable persons, such as very elderly, pregnant ladies, passengers with health issues are advised to avoid air travel. However, this will not apply to air ambulance services,” the order read.

The civil aviation ministry, however, clarified that the price cap of domestic flight tickets will not be applicable for chartered flights.

“The charges of air travel (on chartered flights) to be as per mutually agreed terms between operators and the travellers,” the ministry said.

Moreover, it is compulsory that the passengers of such flights have Aarogya Setu app on their phones and are marked ‘green’. Children below fourteen years of age are exempted from this requirement.