Flights, trains remain suspended till May 3

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 14

The government today extended suspension of all international and domestic commercial passenger flights till May 3 in view of the extension of the nationwide lockdown period, even as the people who booked air-tickets for travel after April 14 will not get refund.

As the decision was announced, airline operators said that they would not give refund for the tickets cancelled and instead provide coupons for future travel.

“For the customers affected by the cancellations until May 3, the booking amount will be protected in the form of a credit shell under their PNR number, which can be used to make bookings for the same customer(s) on our website or mobile app valid for 1 year from the date of issuance,” said the budget carrier IndiGo.

In a similar statement, SpiceJet too said upon cancellation of tickets, the entire amount would be maintained in a credit shell and can be used for future travel. Meanwhile, acknowledging the hardships being faced by the people, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said the decision to extend the lockdown was backed by good reasons. “We can consider lifting restrictions on both domestic and international flights thereafter,” he tweeted.

Meanwhile, all passenger trains stand cancelled till May 3 in view of the extension to the lockdown.

The Railways announced today that all passenger train services, including premium, mail/express, passenger, suburban, Kolkata Metro Rail, Konkan Railway and others, shall continue to remain cancelled till May 3.

Refunds will be remitted to the customers by the Railways online. For those who have booked across the counters, refund can be availed up to July 31. To ensure essential supplies in various parts of the country, movement of goods and parcel trains will continue.

The Railways announced today that all ticket counters for bookings would remain suspended countrywide till further orders. Also, the Railways has stopped advance reservation of train tickets till further orders. However, the facility of online cancellation of tickets will remain functional. Full refund has been allowed for reservations made for the trains cancelled.

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