India: Domestic air travel back to 65% of pre-Corona times

Reportedly, India's domestic air travel numbers have nearly touched 65 per cent of what it was before Corona hit the country. The fact was revealed by India's Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola as he addressed a webinar yesterday. The surprising fact, albeit good for the aviation industry, as revealed by Mr Kharola during a virtual event, organised by the Federation of Association of Indian Tourism & Hospitality.

He also stated that air travel has become the preferred mode of commute in the current times as it is seen as a safer mode of travel over others. Revealing the numbers, he also stated that the numbers are expected to touch around 80 - 90 percent as more businesses, including schools and colleges open up again, over the next two to three months. He also expressed that efforts should now be made to revive the tourism industry same as the aviation industry.
Mr Kharola said, "Aviation is going towards normal. This normalcy ought to be brought in tourism industry also. Tourist destinations have already opened up, the ASI has opened up the monuments. Now is the time to convince people that it is safe to travel. So we all have to work together and evolve a strategy to motivate that domestic tourism also picks up.”

He also urged domestic tourism industry to promote domestic airlines, adding that other countries can also consider issuing tourist visas again now.