Operation of domestic airlines to stop starting mid-night today
New
Delhi,
Mar
24:
Operations
of
domestic
airlines
shall
cease
with
effect
from
the
midnight
of
March
24.
This
is
applicable
to
domestic
and
scheduled
commercial
airlines.
The
restrictions
however
shall
not
apply
to
cargo
flights,
the
Government
has
said
on
Monday.
Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri said that the government would take a call on banning domestic flights to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
The announcement came following a letter from West Bengal chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who sought a ban on domestic flights coming into the state. It may be recalled that the Centre had overruled the decision of the Delhi government to ban domestic flights in and out of Delhi.
Centre likely to take call on domestic flights soon
I, would therefore, request you to kindly arrange to issue necessary instructions to stop all flights coming to West Bengal with immediate effect so that the source of spreading infection is effectively contained and lockdown in the state is implemented in true letter and spirit," the letter by Mamata Banerjee read.
The Centre on Monday said that it was open to reconsidering its position as the demand by the CMs was an understandable one.