Mumbai, April 11: The India aviation operators are estimated to be holding about Rs 6,000 crores of payment that were made ahead of all travel booking were called off. All these flights were suspended to curb the coronavirus spread in the country.

According to a report, published in the Economic Times, the airline carriers have allowed the passenger to cancel their respective flight tickets without penalty charges. However, instead of cash refunds, they are being offered credit vouchers, claim aviation consultants and senior industry executives. India Should Ramp Up Its Measures to Tracle COVID-19 Effect, Should Not Have to Choose Between Lives and Livelihood: Niti Aayog VC Rajiv Kumar.

Among the most disturbing news pouring in is, all the funds -- that aviation operators are holding -- are helping the airlines in India still staying afloat. With the help of some short-term loans, airline firms are managing the expenditure during the coronavirus lockdown.

It is to be known that all the domestic flights were halted from flying untill the 21-day lockdown period. The civil aviation ministry had suspended all international flight operation prior to the announcement of the complete lockdown. Reports are also arriving that Kerala government in mulling to suspend all flights untill the end of May.

Meanwhile, Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases in India has jumped to 7447 with the highest single-day increase in infections and deaths, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday morning. According to the latest data from the ministry, coronavirus cases hit a new one-day peak, with 1035 people getting infected in the past 24 hours. The death toll mounted to 239 with 40 fatalities.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 11, 2020 02:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).