Government allows airlines to operate 85 per cent of their pre-Covid capacity, eases fare rules also

New Delhi, Sep 18: With Covid situation easing in the country, the Civil Aviation Ministry on Saturday allowed airlines to operate upto 85 per cent of their pre-Covid flight capacity.

It also eased the fare rules giving airlines more pricing power by cutting the 30 days fare cycle to 15 days for applicable minimum and maximum fare bands.

The earlier cap on flight capacity was 72.5 per cent.

While the relaxation would allow airlines to add more capacity, air-travellers would get more flight options and expanded air network.

The September 18 order to add more capacity would kick in with immediate effect.

"The order shall take effect from the date of issue of this order and shall be applicable until further order," said the order signed by Satyendra Kumar Mishra, Joint Secretary in Aviation Ministry.

Modifying its earlier fare order, the Civil Aviation Ministry said that the prevailing fare rules shall be applicable upto 15 days with immediate effect. Accordingly, the minimum and maximum fare chargeable shall continue to be rolled over for the 15 days cycle as against 30 days earlier.

"This gives more pricing power to airlines and is also good for the customers booking tickets closer to journey dates," said an airline official.

The government has been gradually opening the domestic aviation sector given that corona virus infections have been on the wane.