Airlines Allowed To Operate Flights At 85% Capacity

The civil aviation ministry said the decision to increase passenger capacity on flights was taken after a review of the current status of scheduled domestic operations viz-a-viz passenger demand for air travel.

Following a dip in the COVID-19 cases in the country, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Saturday increased the passenger capacity on domestic flights from 72.5 per cent to 85 per cent.

In an official notification, the ministry said the decision was taken after a review of the current status of scheduled domestic operations viz-a-viz passenger demand for air travel.

"After review of the current status of scheduled domestic operations viz-a-viz passenger demand for air travel in terms of the purpose specified in the initial order dated May 21, 2020, condition laid down in para 2 of the order dated May 21, 2020, as last amended on dated August 12, 2021, is further modified as under: 72.5 per cent capacity may be read as 85 per cent capacity," the order said.

The ministry said the new order will take effect from the date of issue and will be applicable until further order.