New seating arrangement inside Indian flights may push up airfares once coronavirus lockdown ends

• Airlines may operate with only one-third occupancy with one passenger sitting in a row of three seats.
  
• The next passenger will then be sitting in a diametrically opposite seat.
  
• DGCA is also likely to ensure 1.5-meter distance between passengers at airports from the entry gate to boarding gates.
  

Once the lockdown is lifted, airfares are likely to cost 3 times the pre lockdown period, according to Times of India. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is working on a plan to resume flights with social distancing after government permits movement, reported Times of India.

Airlines may operate with only one-third occupancy with one passenger sitting in a row of three seats. The next passenger will then be sitting in a diametrically opposite seat. For instance, if one passenger is sitting in a window seat then the other passenger will be asked to sit at the aisle seat and so on.


Credits: BCCL

An aeroplane with a seating capacity of 180-seater single-aisle will carry only 60 passengers. Hence, airlines will compensate for the loss of capacity by increasing airfare by 1.5 to 3 times.

“Given the seat width, having one vacant seat between two passengers may not be adequate social distancing. With time, as things hopefully improve on the corona front in terms of the spread of getting contained and medicines/vaccines being developed, we will gradually ease onboard social distancing norms,” an official told Times of India.

Moreover, DGCA is also likely to ensure 1.5-meter distancing at airports from the entry gate to boarding gates.

“Given the low volume of travel expected in the first few weeks, 1.5-metre distancing will not be an issue at big airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and some others,” an official told TOI.

According to media reports, airlines have already started making changes to ensure safe travel during the post-lockdown period. SpiceJet and Indigo have also marked seats with X in their buses to ensure social distancing.


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