Vande Bharat Mission: 750 domestics carriers to operate, says Aviation minister

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep SinghPuri on Saturday addressed the media and said 750 private domestic carriers,along with 300 Air India flights, will operate in the coming days as part ofthe 'Vande Bharat Mission' to bring back Indians stranded abroad.

The Union Minister denied rumours of international operationshave reopened, and said, "Suggestions or objections that India is the onlycountry to not open up needs a reality check". 

The exact time to resume international flight depends on the other countries to be open to receive flights and the minister said, "At present, we have allowed only 33 percent flights to operate and flights are not operating in full capacity even now. We will open more routes where there is demand more".

"Close to 2,75,000 Indians, who were stranded in foreigncountries, have been brought back to the country in flights and ships duringthe lockdown," Puri added.

Civil Aviation Secretary Pradeep Singh Kharola said the ministry may open up flights with North America on a case to case basis as there has been significant air traffic on the route.