‘Uncertainty in flights because of some states’

still picked up globally. I see it picking up again, but it is too early to say. In India we have a pretty stable domestic traffic, it will pick up as people will want to move.

But you had earlier said it could resume by August?

I was asked if you will be able to start international civil aviation by August or September, I had said we could do that even earlier. What does that mean? We have two months to go. The number of people we are bringing back on Vande Bharat, we are already scaling that up.

How much is your estimate of the total hit on the aviation sector? You can only do a damage assessment when the resumption has taken place because the damage is on a continuing basis.

Do you see any Indian airline closing down?

I hope not but they are under stress...as a government we have to be cautious and mindful of all that needs to be done on the health front...but equally we also have to be conscious about what is happening to the economy. It’s been two months since airports and airlines have not had any revenue, even parked aircraft on ground cost money.

When can we expect a financial bailout of the sector?

It is a difficult situation. We have given a large number of measures to mitigate their stress. But I am not sure that the system as it is structured right now is geared to giving any bailout. The business model of airlines is particularly precarious. But the government can’t give billion-dollar bailouts....that will mean we are giving taxpayer’s money to bail out an individual business.

What happens to the Air India divestment plan?

It goes on. It has to be divested, there is absolutely no question on that. At this stage, to keep anything (running) by subsidy is almost impossible to justify.

Will we see further easing of restrictions after May 31?

100%, I am speaking in my personal capacity, of course.