Naidu Urges Airlines to Resume Normal Operations Starting May 15
Union Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu has announced the resumption of normal flight schedules across all 32 airports that were recently reopened after a six-day closure. Following a meeting with airline representatives, Naidu urged airlines to ramp up operations starting Thursday, May 15, as the temporary restrictions on air traffic routes are set to expire. While some airlines began restoring flights earlier this week, disruptions due to drone activity led to cancellations, but operations are expected to stabilize soon.
Airlines Prepare for Full Operations
During a review meeting held on Tuesday, Minister Naidu emphasized the importance of returning to normal flight schedules as soon as the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restrictions lapse. The NOTAM, which affected 25 segments of air traffic service routes in the Delhi and Mumbai regions, is valid until 5:29 AM on Thursday. With the reopening of all 32 airports, Naidu expressed confidence that airlines would respond positively to the call for normal operations.
Airlines had already begun to resume flights on Monday, but some faced challenges due to drone activity that led to cancellations on Tuesday. Air India and IndiGo were among the carriers that had to cancel flights to various destinations, including Jammu, Leh, and Amritsar. However, both airlines indicated that they would progressively resume services starting Wednesday.
Resumption of Special Flights
In addition to regular flights, several airlines have announced the resumption of special services. SpiceJet confirmed that it resumed scheduled flights to Srinagar on Tuesday and plans to start Haj flights from the city on Wednesday. The airline is set to operate two flights to Medina using wide-body Airbus A340 aircraft, accommodating 324 passengers each. SpiceJet aims to facilitate the travel of approximately 15,500 Haj pilgrims this year.
Air India Express also resumed several routes, including Hindon-Bengaluru and Jammu-Srinagar. The airline plans to reinstate additional flights, including international services from Amritsar, following the expiration of the NOTAM. The swift restoration of services is crucial for maintaining connectivity, especially for regions that rely heavily on air travel.
Support for Airlines and Acknowledgment of Armed Forces
During the meeting, Minister Naidu inquired if airlines required any assistance in restoring their services. Reports indicate that the government has sought exemptions from route dispersal guidelines (RDG) during this period, as some of the affected airports fall under this category. The RDG is designed to ensure air connectivity to underserved regions, including the North-East and Jammu & Kashmir.
In a show of gratitude, some airlines plan to make in-flight announcements acknowledging the contributions of the armed forces. For instance, a pilot from Star Air expressed thanks to the Air Traffic Control (ATC) upon landing, highlighting the collaborative efforts to ensure safety during operations. As airlines work to restore full service, the focus remains on ensuring passenger safety and maintaining essential air connectivity across the country.
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