HYDERABAD: In less than 24 hours from now, the Hyderabad airport will throw open its doors to domestic passengers — most of them part of the city’s migrant workforce — anxiously waiting to visit their families in other states. While aviation industry sources say that the metro routes — to Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and even Pune — are likely to see maximum rush, they add that the overall footfall will be low. Reasons: limited airline operations coupled with apprehension among travellers to travel in an aircraft.
“Those flying in the initial days are primarily those who have been stranded in Hyderabad over the last two months and want to return home. They are either those who came here on work and got caught , orworkers, in IT and other sectors,” said a industry insider.
Among them is Ashish Rai who is set to travel right on Day 1— May 25. “I haven’t seen my family for months now. So, the first opportunity I got, I booked my tickets,” Rai told STOI.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) summer schedule, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport will operate about 164 daily connections between May and August, as opposed to its usual domestic load of 480 flights.
But given that a large section of travellers are still in the wait-and-watch mode — before they can book their tickets — tour operators in the city are yet to start work. On Saturday, most of them confirmed that they aren’t taking any bookings yet. “We will wait for a while before resuming bookings. We don’t want to get into a situation again where flights start getting cancelled and we have to refund fares to passengers. Also, not many are expected to travel for a while,” said Abdul Majid Faheen, chairman, Travel Agents Federation of India (Hyderabad chapter).
Apart from health concerns many are also unsure about the numerous guidelines that passengers now have to follow while flying in and out of an airport. If some are unclear about the quarantine system — Telangana is yet to provide clarity — others are fretting over the Aarogya Setu app. “I am from Hyderabad. I am stuck in Indore from past two months. I don't have a smart phone. But, as per the airlines guidelines states that every passenger must carry and "Arogya Setu App". Any alternative way to board flight IDR-HYB?” tweeted VVS Ashish.
“Those flying in the initial days are primarily those who have been stranded in Hyderabad over the last two months and want to return home. They are either those who came here on work and got caught , orworkers, in IT and other sectors,” said a industry insider.
Among them is Ashish Rai who is set to travel right on Day 1— May 25. “I haven’t seen my family for months now. So, the first opportunity I got, I booked my tickets,” Rai told STOI.
According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) summer schedule, the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport will operate about 164 daily connections between May and August, as opposed to its usual domestic load of 480 flights.
But given that a large section of travellers are still in the wait-and-watch mode — before they can book their tickets — tour operators in the city are yet to start work. On Saturday, most of them confirmed that they aren’t taking any bookings yet. “We will wait for a while before resuming bookings. We don’t want to get into a situation again where flights start getting cancelled and we have to refund fares to passengers. Also, not many are expected to travel for a while,” said Abdul Majid Faheen, chairman, Travel Agents Federation of India (Hyderabad chapter).
Apart from health concerns many are also unsure about the numerous guidelines that passengers now have to follow while flying in and out of an airport. If some are unclear about the quarantine system — Telangana is yet to provide clarity — others are fretting over the Aarogya Setu app. “I am from Hyderabad. I am stuck in Indore from past two months. I don't have a smart phone. But, as per the airlines guidelines states that every passenger must carry and "Arogya Setu App". Any alternative way to board flight IDR-HYB?” tweeted VVS Ashish.
Coronavirus outbreak
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app