Int’l flights by Aug, focus on local routes first: Puri

NEW DELHI: India will try to restart a good percentage of international passenger flights before August, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Saturday said, three days after announcing resumption of domestic flights from May 25.

While various states like Karnataka and Maharashtra announced their respective quarantine measures for passengers coming there through domestic flights, the Minister said there was no need for quarantine if a passenger is showing green status on Aarogya Setu app. While addressing a Facebook Live session, he clarified again that the app is not mandatory for air passengers and they can instead give a self-declaration form.

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, a few States have questioned the necessity to restart domestic services from Monday, he admitted, adding that some hesitation was expected even as the Centre has been trying to meet their concerns. Puri said during the session, “I can’t put a date on it (restarting international flights). But if somebody says can it be done by August or September? My response is why not earlier depending on what is the situation.”

When asked about the Minister’s announcement on resuming international services, Vistara said it will await instructions and guidelines from the Civil Aviation Ministry. Other airlines are yet to respond.

Puri also said India is planning to bring stranded Indians from Sri Lanka

through ships or flights under the Vande Bharat Mission. The Minister said if some passengers do not have smartphones, it is not as if they will not be allowed to travel for they do not have the Aarogya Setu app. “We have said it is an advisory, it is preferable...If you do not have the Aarogya Setu app, you can give a self-declaration form,” he stated.

I can’t put a date on it (restarting international flights). But if somebody says can it be done by August or September? My response is why not earlier depending on what is the situation

—Hardeep Singh Puri, Civil Aviation Minister