The Domestic fare cap may extend beyond 3 months

The fare cap for domestic travel that was introduced with the restarting of domestic flights on May 25 might still be there after August 24, extending the given duration of 3 months when it was first introduced. The Aviation Secretary, P S Kharola said that the fare band would be adjusted further depending on the situation, but for now it is only for 3 months.

The Aviation Minister of India, Hardeep Singh Puri said, "In pre-pandemic times, we used to have 3-3.5 lakh domestic passengers daily. We started with 30,000 passengers on May 25 and since then have seen a maximum of 72,000 domestic passengers on a day. I expect to reach half of the pre-corona level of 1.5-1.6 lakh domestic travellers before mid-July. At that point, we will consider resuming schedule international flights on a country by country basis."

International travel bubble and the Vande Bharat Mission

The Chairman of Air India, Rajiv Bansal has told that the airlines will operate 650 flights under the Vande Bharat Mission in July. He also added that the maximum demand is of flights going to and from the US, Canada, Europe, Middle East and Southeast Asia. Private Indian airlines will also be a part of this phase of the mission sending out 750 flights to Gulf and Southeast Asia.

The Aviation Minister also said that the Vande Bharat Mission is helping travellers till normal travel finally resumes. He said that as they prepare to take the mission further, the fares might reduce too. When questioned about privatisation if Air India, he said, "I have never been more hopeful and confident - be it divestment or disinvestment whatever you choose. AI's true worth has revealed itself in recent times and it is a first class asset.