No intl commercial passenger flight will land in India from March 22 for 1 week: Govt

NEW DELHI: Government of India has informed that no scheduled international commercial passenger aircraft shall be allowed to land in India from March 22, 2020 for one week.

https://twitter.com/PIB_India/status/1240610716106633216

Additionally, State Governments shall issue appropriate directions so that all citizens above 65 (other than for medical assistance) except for public representatives/govt. servants/medical professionals are advised to remain at home, according to a press release.

Railways and civil aviation shall suspend all concessional travel except for students, patients and divyang category.

States are being requested to enforce work for home for Private Sector employees except those working in emergency/essential service

To reduce crowding, all Group B and C Central Government employees will be asked to attend offices on alternate week and staggered timings for all employees.

For a fact, an analytical report from CAPA – Centre for Aviation has issued a warning for the airline industry. “By the end of May-2020, most airlines in the world will be bankrupt. Coordinated government and industry action is needed – now – if catastrophe is to be avoided,” an article claims.

“Cash reserves are running down quickly as fleets are grounded and what flights there are operate much less than half full.Forward bookings are far outweighed by cancellations and each time there is a new government recommendation it is to discourage flying. Demand is drying up in ways that are completely unprecedented. Normality is not yet on the horizon,” the article claims.

As governments fail to cooperate, national self-interest is proving to be a threat for the aviation industry.

With many countries cancelling flights from foreign countries, the aviation industry will suffer maximum losses.

Meanwhile in India, all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure, informed the Ministry of Health.

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