E-Agenda Aaj Tak: Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Puri explains how air travel will change in Covid-19 times

May 10,2020

E-Agenda Aaj Tak: Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Puri explains how air travel will change in Covid-19 times

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said that India is fully prepared to start air travel amid the Covid-19 pandemic as soon as the Centre gives the green light.
Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri said that while air travel will significantly change in a Covid-19 world, India is prepared to make all changes and take to the skies again.

Hardeep Puri shared the news on e-Agenda Aaj Tak and said that any losses incurred by the aviation industry due to Covid-19 and lockdown will be absorbed by the early resumption of economic activity.

Speaking to Aaj Tak he said, "All projected losses are based on the back of the envelope calculations. The full loss will depend on how long the lockdown continues. All sectors are facing the economic impact of lockdown. Our attempt is to resume economic activity as soon as possible while ensuring all precautions are followed."

Will fear of Covid-19 reduce the country's accessibility to air travel? According to Hardeep Puri, people will still need domestic air travel for business and personal reasons.

"I fully believe and can say confidently that even though problems will come but when we reopen this sector, our domestic traffic (India is the third-largest market for domestic aviation) will soon be back to normal. Not just for luxury, people need air travel for work. When we reopen, whatever loss is faced in the gap of these 2-3 months will be absorbed by airlines," he added.

The civil aviation minister also said that India is fully prepared to start air travel as soon as the Centre gives the green light.