Will try to restart international flights before August: Minister

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that the government will try and resume a "good percentage" of international passenger flights before August. International flights have been banned since March 25 owing to the coronavirus situation.

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

All scheduled commercial passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 25 when the Modi government imposed a lockdown to contain the novel coronavirus pandemic.

"I am fully hopeful that before August or September, we will try to start a good percentage of international civil aviation operations, if not complete international operations," Puri said during a Facebook live 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," he said.

"We hope to resume international operations if the virus behaves in a predictable manner, if we are able to make arrangements, if we are able to live with the virus," he added.

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The Aviation Minister further added that the Aarogya Setu app is an excellent contact-tracing device and recommended everyone to use it. However, it is only advisable for passengers to get the app and it is not mandatory.

"When you check-in, if you don't have Aarogya Setu then you can submit self declaration form. Discussions are taking place with states and we hope to have clarity in a day or two," he added.

Responding to a query pertaining to the evacuation of Indians stranded abroad, the minister said, "We will be able to bring around 50,000 citizens back through special flights during the first 25 days of Vande Bharat Mission."

Puri said that the government is also planning to bring back Indian citizens from Sri Lanka either by ship or flights and discussions are at an advanced stage.

(With inputs from PTI)