DGCA raises cap on domestic flight capacity

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a circular to raise the cap on domestic flight capacity from 70 per cent to 80 per cent of pre-Covid-19 levels. This would be the fifth time that the government has allowed airlines to expand capacity since flight services were restarted in May this year. Further, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has reported that domestic operations, which recommenced with 30,000 passengers on May 25, 2020, touched a high of 0.25 million passengers on November 30, 2020. The DGCA has also extended the ban on international flights till December 31, 2020. However, cargo flights and limited international flights under bubble arrangements will continue to operate.