GUWAHATI: At the onset of the coronavirus outbreak the aviation industry is currently on shaky grounds.
While most travel plans have been cancelled, many people have been returning back from virus infected states and other countries as a safety measure. The prices of flight tickets have seen massive fluctuation in recent days.
Airport authorities of the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, Guwahati said that the numbers of operational flights have gone down from around 140 per day to 80 per day, and footfall of daily passengers has dropped by 30%.
A GoAir flight from Aizawl to Guwahati on 17th March was cancelled due to the same reason.
Authorities informed that such operational back out might be expected if situations worsen but nothing has been confirmed as of yet.
A commuter travelling by Spice jet from Chennai to Guwahati has informed, “The prices of tickets were at a low initially but have again seen an extensive rise. While the usual prices in this route ranges from Rs.3000 to Rs. 6000. But now these are being sold at Rs. 15000.”
He further mentioned, “Rumours are going on that many airports in South India will be shut down due to the outbreak. Although the news has not yet been confirmed, people are heading back home at the earliest.”