The Government has advised airlines to operate more flights between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. so as to ease pressure on limited infrastructure at airports around the country. This was decided at the meeting of the Coordination Committee for Slot allocation for the airlines’ forthcoming winter schedule.

Meanwhile, the Government has allowed the domestic airlines to increase the number of flights to be operated at Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai during the forthcoming winter season. In Delhi, domestic airlines have been allowed to operate almost 20 additional flights daily as compared to what was being operated during the summer schedule. Globally the winter schedule of airlines runs from the end of October to the end of March the following year.

Similarly in Mumbai domestic airlines among them would be allowed to operate 13 additional daily flights as compared to what was being operated during the summer schedule. At Chennai domestic airlines would be allowed to operate seven more flights a day from what is being operated at present.

The meeting also considered schedules of smaller aircraft as the Government is keen to promote air connectivity to smaller cities. The meeting also advised airlines to plan their flights to and from Delhi with pilots who are capable of operating in foggy conditions.

The proposal to operate late night flights has been welcomed by the Managing Director, Go Air, Mr Jeh Wadia. Speaking to the media earlier this month, Mr Wadia felt that the move would be welcomed by passengers who would not mind late night or early morning flights as these would cut down on the long hours spent on a train to cover the same distance.