Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SD)

New Delhi, May 4: The Indian aviation industry witnessed an unexpected overturn due to the ongoing pandemic with the nation on lockdown of 40 days as of May, 4. Commercial flights were at a complete halt except on special cases only under the government's directives. The industry awaits with great hope that the lockdown would end soon knowing fully that the services are unlikely to return to normal for at least a few months till the vaccine is found.

Once the services resume, the aviation industry is ordered to adhere to all the precautionary norms provided for sanitation and social distancing. Discussions are also being undertaken to avoid booking the middle row seats to maintain social distancing.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has stated that the airlines should not sell the tickets for the middle row and the last three rows must be kept vacant in the event a passenger needs to be quarantined mid-flight.

These rules applicable would fall heavily on the airline industry as no relaxation or reduction is made in terms of operation cost beginning from fuel to parking costs.

Studies made by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation India (CAPA) showed that if the social distancing norms are followed then the passengers intending to travel would have to bear the expenses of the empty seats which would cost double the normal charges.

Delhi-Mumbai fare which costs a minimum of Rs 5000 for one way will likely spike up to Rs 9,700. Likewise, fare for the Bengaluru-Delhi route would rise to Rs 11,200 from Rs 5,700.

CAPA's conclusion on the study was inclusive of the load factor which would account to 60 per cent load factor if 180 seater aircraft sold about 108 seats.

Apart from the reduction of the number of seats, the turnabout time would be added due to stringent cleaning policies and slower boarding process as a result of social distancing.

The Delhi Airport has announced to take all preventive steps to ensure safety once the flight services resume. The airport would deploy additional queue-managers, extra check-in area seats and use of coloured tapes and markers to ensure the gap between passengers.