Air & Space magazine
Air India on Monday cancelled the leaves of pilots with an immediate effect amid an increasing number of domestic air travellers.
In the wake of the Coronavirus pandemic, domestic flight services were suspended for two months from March 25 last year. After resumption on May 25, 2020, air traffic has been on the rise.
According to internal communication, all leaves for cockpit crew stands withdrawn with an immediate effect from March 1. However, the communication noted that leaves maybe granted in extreme circumstances or case-to-case-basis, depending upon the urgency of the situation.
The communication did not mention any specific reasons for the decision to cancel the leaves. While the civil aviation ministry said the number of domestic flights that Indian airlines are permitted to operate will remain at 80 per cent of their pre-COVID-19 levels. This is go on till March 31 or till the summer schedule begins.
In a statement on Monday, the ministry said 3,13,668 domestic passengers were flown by airlines on February 28. It the highest number since resumption of local flights on May 25, 2020.
Scheduled international commercial flights continue to remain suspended, while overseas flights under air bubble agreements. The Vande Bharat Mission are operational, among others.