New Delhi: The second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic has once again put pressure on the aviation sector and the number of air passengers fell by nearly 27 per cent to 5.7 million in April compared to March this year.
According to data released today by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, in April, 57.25 lakh people traveled on domestic routes by air. This figure is the lowest since October 2020. The number of air passengers in March was 78.22 lakhs. Thus, it has recorded a decline of 26.81 percent.
The number of air travelers generally increases in April and May as children go to visit with family due to children’s holidays in schools and colleges. But this year, contrary to tradition, has declined due to Covid-19.
Last year, regular passenger flights in the country were completely closed for two months from 25 March. Thereafter, regular flights on domestic routes were resumed from 25 May 2020. The number of passengers kept increasing every month till February 2021. In February it reached 78.27 lakhs, but after the second wave came in March, the number came down to 78.22 lakhs, with a slight decline. The impact of the epidemic was clearly visible in April.
According to the data so far, the number of air passengers has decreased in May. At present, less than 60 thousand people are traveling daily.
