Delhi: On Saturday, Air India opened bookings for select domestic flights from 4th May onward and for international flights from 1st June onwards.
Amid the nationwide lockdown due to Covid-19 outbreak, the national carrier had stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till 3rd May and on all international flights for travel till 31st May.
“In the light of the ongoing global health concerns, we have currently stopped accepting bookings on all domestic flights for travel till May 3, 2020, and on all international flights for travel till May 31, 2020,” a notification on Air India’s website said on Saturday.
The extended nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19 is supposed to end on 3 May.
During the suspension of commercial flights, Air India has been providing its services efficiently in the wake of Covid-19 crisis.
The national carrier has been of great help in rescuing stranded Indian citizens from abroad as well as transporting essential agricultural and medical commodities to the world market.
Under the “Krishi Udan” scheme of the Centre Government, the airline has identified 10 cargo destinations across the globe, where it will actively utilise its aircraft in ferrying essentials such as fruits, vegetables and medical goods.
The airline has started the service on routes to the UK, Germany, Israel, China, Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka and Maldives amongst others.
India has been under lockdown since 25 March to curb the spread of novel coronavirus. The first phase of the lockdown was from 25 March to 14 April. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 14 April extended the lockdown till 3 May. All domestic and international commercial passenger flights have been suspended during this period.
On 3 April, Air India stated that it has stopped bookings, both domestic and international, till the end of the month.