Centre clarifies no decision on resuming flights post-COVID lockdown on May 4

Hours after Air India declared select resuming domestic flights post May 3, the Central Government, on Saturday clarified that there is no decision as yet on the resumption of domestic or passenger flights. This has been confirmed by Union Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, who tweeted that airlines were advised to open bookings only after Centre's decision. Currently, the Centre has extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, amid the wide spread COVID-19 pandemic.

Air India opens bookings on select domestic routes from May 4, intl from June 1

Centre: No decision on domestic or international flights

Air India CMD expresses gratitude towards employees as nation fights against COVID-19

Air India announces resuming services

Earlier in the day, the government carrier Air India  announced it has opened bookings on select domestic and international routes from May 4 and June 1, respectively. It had stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till May 3, 2020, and on all international flights for travel till May 31, 2020 till now. On April 3, Air India had said it has stopped bookings, both domestic and international, till the end of the month.

"Bookings for select domestic flights for travel from May 4, 2020, and for international flights for travel from June 1, 2020 onwards are open," a notification on Air India's website said.

COVID-19: India sees 991 new cases, 43 deaths; 45 districts with no new cases in 14 days

Coronavirus in India

As of date, 12289 active cases have been reported of the pandemic Coronavirus (COVID-19) - 2014 have been discharged and Maharashtra reported the highest at 3323. 488 deaths have been reported till date. India has suspended all visas and barred travel from Afghanistan, Philippines, EU, UK, China, Malaysia and mandatory 14-day quarantine from several other countries. PM Modi has extended the lockdown till May 3, with a relaxation possibility in non-COVID hotspots after April 20.

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