Coronavirus lockdown | Flight restrictions to be lifted only after COVID-19 spread under control: Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri took to Twitter on April 20 to reiterate that no flights would operate until the spread of the novel coronavirus disease is controlled effectively by the government. His comments came after media reports suggested some airlines had opened flight bookings starting May 4, expecting the lockdown to be lifted by then.

Slamming airlines such as Go Air, Vistara and Air Asia, among others, for opening passenger flight ticket bookings despite not receiving any official communication allowing them to do so, Puri wrote on Twitter that the Aviation Ministry will “consider lifting restrictions” only after the lockdown ends.

Clarifying his stance once again, he wrote:

I want to once again say that flight restrictions that are in place as a result of India's fight against COVID19 will be lifted once we are confident that spread of the virus has been controlled & it poses no danger to our country & people.

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 20, 2020

Since some airlines did not heed our advisory & opened bookings & started collecting money from flyers, a directive was issued to them on 19th April restraining them from doing so.

They were also informed that they will be given sufficient notice & time to commence bookings. — Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 20, 2020

Our views & approach on restarting flights have been clearly stated. On 2nd April, I said "A decision to restart flights after this period remains to be taken" & reiterated this on 5th. On14th when Lockdown extended, I said "we can CONSIDER lifting restrictions" after Lockdown. pic.twitter.com/LkXKkofKsY

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— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) April 20, 2020