India / Private jets, chartered flights allowed on domestic routes: Govt

New Delhi: A day after domestic flights re-opened amid confusion and chaos, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday allowed the resumption of private jets, chartered flights and helicopters on all domestic routes. However, the air services also depend on whether the respective state governments are allowing travellers to enter the state amid the coronavirus crisis.

Releasing the order, the ministry said that the same set of guidelines will apply for passengers and crew on ‘non-scheduled and private aircraft’ as on regular domestic passenger flights.

Passengers have been advised to arrive at least 45 minutes prior to the departure for thermal screening and COVID-19 symptom checking. “Vulnerable persons, such as very elderly, pregnant ladies, passengers with health issues are advised to avoid air travel. However, this will not apply to air ambulance services,” the order read.

The civil aviation ministry, however, clarified that the price cap of domestic flight tickets will not be applicable for chartered flights.

“The charges of air travel (on chartered flights) to be as per mutually agreed terms between operators and the travellers,” the ministry said.

Moreover, it is compulsory that the passengers of such flights have Aarogya Setu app on their phones and are marked ‘green’. Children below fourteen years of age are exempted from this requirement.