Chennai: With many people stranded in different cities across the country due to the lockdown, airlines and travel companies are looking at ways to charter planes to help them reach home.
Sources said some domestic carriers have expressed interest to obtain permission to operate flights on specific routes provided there are enough passengers.
Airlines, which are currently using some passenger planes to move cargo, are ready to fly charter services after May 7, when international rescue flights are allowed.
An Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said nonscheduled flights can be operated if airlines get permission from the ministry of civil aviation.
“Since, international rescue flights are being allowed there may not be any restriction in flying such limited services within the country. But, permission may have to be taken for each route and the airline may have to see if there are enough passengers for the aircraft to return to the city of origin. Flying an aircraft empty will push up the cost,” the official said.
In Chennai, Madura Travels has started a survey to find out how many people will be ready to travel on different routes. An A320 or B737 may be able to accommodate around 100 passengers with social distancing norms in place. If people are ready to travel, fare per person can be chalked out.
“If there are enough passengers we will be able to speak to the airlines and fix a price so that the flight can be operated as a non-scheduled service,” Sriharan Balan of Madura Travels said.
07/05/20 Times of India
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Sources said some domestic carriers have expressed interest to obtain permission to operate flights on specific routes provided there are enough passengers.
Airlines, which are currently using some passenger planes to move cargo, are ready to fly charter services after May 7, when international rescue flights are allowed.
An Airports Authority of India (AAI) official said nonscheduled flights can be operated if airlines get permission from the ministry of civil aviation.
“Since, international rescue flights are being allowed there may not be any restriction in flying such limited services within the country. But, permission may have to be taken for each route and the airline may have to see if there are enough passengers for the aircraft to return to the city of origin. Flying an aircraft empty will push up the cost,” the official said.
In Chennai, Madura Travels has started a survey to find out how many people will be ready to travel on different routes. An A320 or B737 may be able to accommodate around 100 passengers with social distancing norms in place. If people are ready to travel, fare per person can be chalked out.
“If there are enough passengers we will be able to speak to the airlines and fix a price so that the flight can be operated as a non-scheduled service,” Sriharan Balan of Madura Travels said.
07/05/20 Times of India
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