<p>Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday said the restrictions on domestic and international flight operations will be lifted only when the government was confident that spread of the novel <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> has been controlled.</p>.<p>Puri also asked airlines to refrain from opening bookings without the government's advisory on resumption of flights.</p>.<p>“I want to once again say that flight restrictions that are in place as a result of India’s fight against COVID-19 will be lifted once we are confident that spread of the virus has been controlled and it poses no danger to our country and people,” the minister said.</p>.<p>“Since some airlines did not heed our advisory and opened bookings, and started collecting money from flyers, a directive was issued to them on 19th April restraining them from doing so. They were also informed that they will be given sufficient notice and time to commence bookings,” he said.</p>.<p>Air India had opened bookings from May 4 on select domestic routes and from June 1 on international routes but stopped after the government’s advisory. Private carriers had ignored the government advisory prompting the DGCA to issue a circular on Sunday.</p>.<p>“All airlines are hereby directed to refrain from booking tickets... Further, the airlines may note that they shall be given sufficient notice and time for restarting operations,” the circular said.</p>.<p>All domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended for the lockdown period. However, cargo flights and special flights, permitted by the DGCA, can fly during the duration of the lockdown.</p>
<p>Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Monday said the restrictions on domestic and international flight operations will be lifted only when the government was confident that spread of the novel <a href="http://www.deccanherald.com/tag/coronavirus" target="_blank">coronavirus</a> has been controlled.</p>.<p>Puri also asked airlines to refrain from opening bookings without the government's advisory on resumption of flights.</p>.<p>“I want to once again say that flight restrictions that are in place as a result of India’s fight against COVID-19 will be lifted once we are confident that spread of the virus has been controlled and it poses no danger to our country and people,” the minister said.</p>.<p>“Since some airlines did not heed our advisory and opened bookings, and started collecting money from flyers, a directive was issued to them on 19th April restraining them from doing so. They were also informed that they will be given sufficient notice and time to commence bookings,” he said.</p>.<p>Air India had opened bookings from May 4 on select domestic routes and from June 1 on international routes but stopped after the government’s advisory. Private carriers had ignored the government advisory prompting the DGCA to issue a circular on Sunday.</p>.<p>“All airlines are hereby directed to refrain from booking tickets... Further, the airlines may note that they shall be given sufficient notice and time for restarting operations,” the circular said.</p>.<p>All domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended for the lockdown period. However, cargo flights and special flights, permitted by the DGCA, can fly during the duration of the lockdown.</p>
