Airlines to operate 8pc more weekly flights in winter

Indian airlines are set to operate a total of 23,732 flights every week during the upcoming winter schedule, reflecting an increase of more than 8 percent compared to the same period in the previous year, driven by surging air travel demand. The winter schedule for 2023, effective from October 29 to March 30 of the following year, has received approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Notably, Go First, currently undergoing insolvency proceedings and having ceased operations on May 3, will not be in operation during this winter schedule. As confirmed by the DGCA on Monday, the winter schedule for 2023 will encompass 23,732 departures per week which have been finalized to/from 118 airports. This marks a substantial increase from the winter schedule of 2022, which featured 21,941 weekly flights operating from 106 airports, reflecting an 8.16 percent rise in the number of flights. Among the 118 airports, the DGCA has proposed new operations at airports such as Bhatinda, Jaisalmer, Ludhiana, Nanded, Shivamogga, Salem, Utkela, Hindon, and Ziro for scheduled airline services.