From 22nd March 2020 - 23.59 onwards, India restricted domestic flying of scheduled operators internally seven days in the wake of precluding International flights. As the nation pronounced lockdown 1.0, so were the flying procedures on a hold.
Do you think it was totally shut? Absolutely NOT! All fundamental cargo flights and special flights were permitted to work with DGCA uncommon consents to fly Cargo Freight on Passenger Aircraft.
Lifeline Udaan was initiated by MoCA (India) to supply necessary meds to the remotest parts of the country. Air India, Alliance Air, Indigo, Spice jet, Air India Express, Blue dart and Pawan Hans took part in the mission along with the IAF, AAI, AAICLAS, PPP Airports and Ground Handling entities across the nation.
On the other hand, flying home stranded Indians cross the globe was the need for the season. As the ATF costs dropped all inclusive and salvage for stranded residents was at the peak Indian Airspace saw a tons of visitors moving toward INDIA .They either conveyed medical help or carried to protect their separate nationalities. Interim the Indian carriers were occupied with flying in the third lockdown stage. They either protected In abandoned abroad or flew freight comprising PPEs, TEST KITS and ESSENTIAL MEDICINES.
Being a significant player in the league, Spicejet including SpiceXpress without any help worked 500 or more unique load flights conveying 3700 tons of cargo utilizing their Boeing 737, 737Fs and Bombardier Q400s. They were the first to fly CARGO ON SEATS in the Indian airspace on seventh April 2020. They traveled to Ho Chi Minh City, Hongkong, Shangai, Singapore, Kuwait, Bangkok, Colombo, Dubai, Kabul, Myanmar and inside the fringes also.
Vistara conveyed their fresh out of the box new Boeing 787-9 VT-TSD to fly cargo as awareness of other's expectations to commitment to our nation.
Med Evac flights and AIR AMBULANCES worked by different Chattered organizations including SPICEJET flew across India. Asian games Gold Medalist PADMA Shri Dinko Sigh flew from IMPHAL to DELHI for liver cancer treatment with Spicejet.
MoCA in a joint effort with AIR INDIA and other Indian transporters started a crucial "VANDE BHARAT" to take back abandoned Indians back to country on installment. The First phase of crucial VANDE BHARAT was finished on fourteenth may 2020 bringing back 14800 residents in 64 exceptional flights to INDIA from 12 nations over the globe. Period of which is booked from seventeenth may 2020 to third June 2020 flying 149 trips to 40 countries overall including US, UK, CANADA, SAUDI, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE, OMAN, KAZAKSTAN and AUSTRALIA.
The fate of flying won’t stay same for clearly, as per IATA just 17% of Indian flyers would fly regularly past Covid. ACI rules are as of now followed by all terminal specialists to start activities. This may be a revolution in the period of flying. New Guidelines for flying are already issued with price caps which are already discussed in our previous blog. Explore it here ! As we blend our methods of flying into the circumstance, flying is something which isn't intended to stop. The reason for flying may change, so is the method of flying. As brilliantly said, COLLABORATION NOT COMPETITION is the way to triumph in this war.