by Chanchal Manohar Singh

Chandigarh:  Although, India's nation-wide lockdown is extended to 31 May, among the relaxation that would be press into service the domestic flights from May 25 in a calibrated manner. New guidelines for domestic flights would also be issued to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus.

These relaxations have been introduced to energise the economy in all spheres of life. Currently, only cargo and evacuation flight services are allowed.

All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from next week, tweeted civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri.

The standard operating procedures for passenger movement will be separately issued by the ministry, said the minister.

Just yesterday, Puri said the Centre alone cannot unilaterally decide on resuming passenger flights unless state governments allow these services “in the spirit of cooperative federalism”.

Passenger flights have been suspended in the country since March 25, when the first phase of lockdown was imposed.

Last month, the DGCA directed airlines to refrain from resuming online ticket bookings after Puri told them to restart the process only after a decision is taken to end the bar on domestic and international flight operations.

however, the decision to the resumption of international flights is still awaited.