The state governments decision in the northeast asking for mandatory RT-PCR test reports of each passenger or Covid testing on arrival, has resulted in about a 50% decline in footfall in the NE since December last year.
InAssam, however, despite giving relaxation in testing to double-dosed vaccinated passengers, the number of fliers has dropped in the past month due to the intense third wave.
Data procured fromAirports Authority of India(AAI), stated that on December 19, a total of 228 passenger flights operated in the northeast, ferrying 27,600 passengers. Even though the flight operations remained unaffected till January 10 when the number of daily flights operating in the region went up to 242, the decline in passenger footfall was crystal clear at 20,500. However, afterMakar Sankrantifestivities when the third wave turned worse, both flight operations and passenger movement dwindled.