Maharashtra, WB & Tamilnadu Oppose Center’s Plan for Resumption of Domestic Flights

With the three state governments, including West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra opposing the Central Government’s flight resumption plan, the fate of flight operations in those states seem uncertain. As per the center’s order, the domestic flights were scheduled to begin from May 25 onwards.

During hours-long meeting with the States officials on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Puri, talked about the terms and conditions set by each state to convince them all so that they can be motivated to resume the operations of domestic flights. Relevant discussions were held with the concern state governments in this regards and they all came on board, as we also agreed to certain terms and conditions. State governments like Maharashtra had genuine concerns as, the state bear the highest number of Covid-19 cases but we agreed to run fewer flights to Mumbai. Only 25 flights will operate to Mumbai. West Bengal too had concerns due to the damage caused by Cyclone Amphan and we agreed to delay flight operations from the state government.

“It has been a long day of hard negotiations with various state governments to recommence civil aviation operations in the country. Except Andhra Pradesh which will start on 26/5 and West Bengal on 28/5, domestic flights will recommence across the country from tomorrow. In WB, limited operations will be commenced on May 28, 2020”, the Minister twitted.

On Saturday, Maharashtra and West Bengal had informed the Centre against resuming flight operations from May 25. The West Bengal, CM, Mamta Banerjee, had also asked to the Centre to defer flight operations in West Bengal in view of Cyclone Amphan that has ravaged parts of the state. Tamil Nadu CM, Edappadi K Palaniswami, had on Saturday cautioned Puri, requesting him to avoid domestic flights into the state till May 31.