Airfares could jump 9-fold with social distancing: Qantas

State-owned banks have sanctioned about Rs 6.45 lakh crore worth loans to various sectors between March 1 and May 15. "Loans worth over Rs 6.45 lakh crore were sanctioned by PSBs during March 1 May 15 for 54.96 lakh accounts from MSME, retail, agriculture & corporate sectors; A notable increase compared to the Rs 5.95 lakh crore sanctioned as of May 8," finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in a tweet.

India added about 715 mega watt of utility scale solar capacity in Jan.-March 2020, down 67 per cent from 2163 MW a year ago. Clean energy consultancy Bridge To India said, the country added 328 MW of utility scale wind capacity in the quarter ended March, which was down 65 per cent as compared to 944 MW in January-March

2019. "India added total utility scale solar and wind capacity of

715 MW and 328 MW,” it said.

Tata Power posted a two-folds jump in its consolidated net profit to Rs 475 crore in the January-March quarter compared to Rs 172 crore in the year-ago quarter. "PAT was up 177 per cent at Rs 475 crore as against Rs 172 crore due to gain on sale of Cennergi investment offset by impairment provision in SED & reversal of MAT Credit due to transition to new tax regime in the renewables business," the company said.

Qantas Airways Ltd said putting extra space between passengers on planes could lead to a big increase in airfares and discourage people from flying.

"Social distancing on an aircraft isn't practical," Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said during a briefing with reporters on Tuesday. The airline won't be keeping middle seats empty. If such a move was implemented, it could mean there would only be 22 people on a 128seat aircraft, Joyce said. "That means airfares are going to be eight to nine times more than they are today."

Joyce said there haven't been confirmed cases of

Covid-19 being transmitted on Qantas flights. The airline is currently only flying about 5 per cent of its pre-crisis levels domestically and 1 per cent of its international network.

Countries around the world have advocated social distancing to help curb the spread of the coronavirus. Proposals for social distancing on planes include keeping middle seats empty, but many in the industry have argued against that. The International Air Transport Association says it doesn't support the idea, and that wearing of face coverings for passengers and masks for crew are more effective measures to ensure the safety of all on board.

Qatar Airways said on Monday its cabin crew will wear full-body protective suits. Crew are also kitted out with goggles, gloves and masks, while passengers will be required to wear face coverings.

Ian Hosegood, medical director at Qantas, said transmission of the virus on flights is "extremely low" as filters on aircraft are very effective and passengers face in one direction. Qantas isn't making it mandatory for passengers to wear face masks.