Don’t throw caution to the wind

Stakeholders of the aviation sector would be squirming at the prospect of a third wave, expected to make its presence felt in September. Ironically it was the aviation sector that was substantially responsible for the spread of the virus worldwide last year. Now, incipient signs of revival in growth of passengers is visible with the average number of daily fliers rising 2,27,000 for the week ended August 7.

The capacity deployment during July was up 90% compared to the same period last year.

According to a report by Icra, airlines are expected to incur net losses of about Rs 21,000 crore this financial year due to the debilitating impact of the pandemic and will need additional funding of up to Rs 37,000 crore through FY23 to recover from their losses and debt.

But lack of cautious approach on the part of fliers will result in pain for airlines as the government may be again forced to implement fresh curbs to rein in on the deadly virus.

Adherence to social distancing norms cannot be subjective.

While large airports have the infrastructure to implement social distancing norms, the small airports will struggle to ensure fliers don’t flout guidelines.

Fliers need to be more disciplined and realise the gravity of the situation. The country cannot afford another massive disruption.

Normalcy can only return if citizens display the discipline and efforts to stave off the Covid threat.

The government’s efforts at widening the aviation sector’s footprints to small cities and opening up newer opportunities for the sector will only gain steam if there are fewer turbulences.

Otherwise, the sector will continue to stutter and citizens will also pay the price for immature and reckless behaviour.