Middle seats will not be booked on Air India flights after 10 days: SC

New delhi date. Monday, May 25, 2020

The Supreme Court today delivered a landmark judgment on an application filed to comply with social distance with the commencement of air service. The court said Air India could operate full flights for the next 10 days, as bookings had already been made. But bookings for the middle seat will not be made after 10 days.

At the same time, the Supreme Court has asked the Bombay High Court to issue a separate order to comply with social distance within international flights. The Center and Air India had filed an application in the Supreme Court against the Bombay High Court order. The High Court had ordered not to book the middle seat.

What is the order of the Supreme Court?

In its order, the apex court said that we do not normally want to interfere in the interim order given by the high court, but the solicitor general said about the difficulties arising due to Indians stranded abroad. He has been allotted a legal ticket for travel. The High Court order has created worries and difficulties for them.

The apex court said the family's plans to travel together have been thwarted. Family members who had a middle seat booking cannot be dropped off. We think Air India will be allowed to operate non-scheduled flights with middle seat bookings for 10 days.

What was the order of the Bombay High Court?

The Bombay High Court had ordered to vacate the middle seat on Air India's international flights. The High Court also asked Air India's Director General of Civil Aviation to comply with the social distance circulation, which required the middle seat to be vacant on international flights.