Passengers in only half the seats on flights from June 1; Ticket prices will increase

From June 1, passengers on domestic flights will be allowed only half a seat. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a new directive in the wake of the rising covid. At present, 80 percent of the seats are reserved for passengers.

With the reduction in seats, there will be an increase in airfares. Domestic flights resumed on May 25, 2020, after a two-month hiatus last year. In the first phase, only 33 percent of the seats were filled. However, by December, the ministry had approved a gradual increase in the seat limit to 80 percent.

Now that the number of covid cases has increased and many states have announced lockdowns, the number of passengers has dropped significantly. On February 28, 2021, there were 3.13 lakh domestic passengers, but on May 25, it dropped to 39,000. With this, the airlines were allowed to increase the ticket prices after they collapsed into huge losses.

The minimum fare for long-distance services within 40 minutes from June 1 has been increased by 13 percent from 2,300 to 2,600. For services of 40 to 60 minutes, the minimum fare will be Rs 3,300 instead of Rs 2,900. In addition, the lowest fares will be Rs 4,000, Rs 4,700, Rs 6,100, Rs 7,400 and Rs 8,700 for flights between 60-90, 90-120, 120-150, 150-180 and 180-210 respectively.

At present, domestic flights between 60-90, 90-120, 120-150, 150-180 and 180-210 minutes cost between Rs 3,500, Rs 4,100, Rs 5,300, Rs 6,400 and Rs 7,600 respectively.

When services resumed on May 25 last year, the minimum and maximum rates were set based on the timing of services.