New Delhi (Global News) COVID-19 has had its adverse impact on the aviation sector like several others. After two-month long lockdown the domestic operations resumed in a calibrated manner from May 25, 2020.
· GMR-led Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has witnessed a significant rise in passenger footfall ever since air service resumed post two-month long lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic.
· Delhi Airport successfully handled ~1.9 million domestic passengers in October 2020, which is ~42% of the pre-COVID domestic traffic handled.
· Since the re-start of domestic operations on 25th May, Delhi International Airport has adopted slew of measures to ensure safety of its passengers and significantly won the faith among them in flying. This has shown the growth pace that has remained more impressive compared to other Indian Airports.
· It has implemented several measures at the airport to ensure passenger safety without compromising their comfort and experience. DIAL teams work round-the-clock to sanitize the vast terminal and also continue its awareness drive by educating and encouraging passengers to maintain social distance while at the airport.
· Delhi Airport becomes India’s safest and world’s second safest airport for various safety measures taken to contain the spread of Coronavirus. Such measures include launching of RT-PCR testing laboratory, UV-based disinfection process, introducing touchless initiatives to enhance the passenger experience, and development of AIR SUVIDHA portal for easy and hassle-free arrival process of India-bound international passengers.
· Post resumption of flights, Delhi Airport has emerged as the most connected airport in India, having flights to 69 domestic destinations in October 2020, as compared to 67 destinations in pre-COVID times. Delhi Airport is followed by Mumbai and Bangalore (59 destinations), Hyderabad (57), Kolkata (49) and Chennai (44).
· With the demand for air travel getting a boost in the wake of festive season of Navratri, Diwali and Chhath Puja, Mumbai, Patna, Srinagar, Bangalore, Hyderabad have emerged as the top 5 domestic destinations. The other most traveller destinations include Pune (PNQ), Kolkata (CCU), Gauwahati (GUA), Ahmedabad (AMD), Chennai (MAA), Jammu (IXJ), Lucknow(LKO), Ranchi(IXR), Bhubaneswar(BBI) and Bagdogra (IXB).
· IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet have emerged as market leaders having operated most number of flights from Delhi Airport.
· Similarly, Delhi Airport has also witnessed a healthy growth in international passenger number and achieved the 1 million passenger mark in October 2020, since May 25, 2020.
· Delhi Airport is now connected with 66 international destinations through Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) flights. As of October 2020, Delhi Airport is connected with 26 destinations in Asia, 14 in Middle East, 11 in Europe, 08 in North America, including the US, 04 in Africa and 03 in Australia.
· With the Government’s effort to introduce bubble flights between India and other countries, Delhi is now connected with 20 countries as compared to 51 in pre-COVID period.
· In International segment, Delhi has handled more than 66% of combined traffic of 3 metro airports in the month of Oct’20. In Domestic segment, Delhi Airport handled more than 48% of combined traffic of 3 metro airports in the month of Oct’20.
· The airport has also registered a significant number of inbound international travelers from Dubai, Changi, Bangkok, Heathrow and Kathmandu during festive season.
· Minister of State for Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri has expressed confidence that passenger traffic would reach its pre-COVID level by January 2021.
· Five months after the resumption of domestic flights, ministry of Civil Aviation had directed that the Indian airlines could operate maximum 60% of their pre-COVID domestic passenger flights. A week later, the ministry announced to increase the cap up to 70% as the air travel surges during festivals.
· Ever since the coronavirus outbreak gripped the entire nation, Delhi Airport has acted as one of the model airports for post lockdown preparedness.
· It has left no stone unturned to gain the confidence of passengers and its stakeholders for effective implementation of various safety protocols and preventive measures at the airport.
· “The prevailing pandemic situation has hit the aviation sector critically. At this testing time, DIAL continues to stand on its commitment to provide safe and healthy world-class amenities and facilities to the flyers. With the largest domestic and international network, Delhi Airport has been able to connect thousands of passengers to their respective hometowns or business locations. With the recent announcement by the government to permit up to 70% of domestic slots in the coming days, we are hopeful of achieving the pre-COVID levels soon,” said Mr. Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO-DIAL. (ENDS)