Airlines Call for Lifting Cap on Passenger Capacity

The Association of Iranian Airlines has sent a letter to President Hassan Rouhani seeking the termination of airlines’ obligation to sell tickets only up to 60% of planes’ total seating capacity for domestic flights. 
According to Fars News Agency, the letter, signed by Younes Daqiqkia, the head of the association, reads as follows:
“The transportation industry has suffered a great deal throughout the coronavirus pandemic due to lockdowns and quarantines. It saw a decline of 43% in the number of passengers for domestic flights and 96% in the number of passengers for international flights during the first six months of the current [fiscal] year (March 20-Sept. 21).  
“The limit set by the Health Ministry for selling tickets at up to 60% of a plane’s total seating capacity has imposed serious economic pressure on airline companies. This is while, thus far, limiting the capacity of flights has not been recommended by the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization or the International Air Transport Association, which constantly monitor the impacts of coronavirus on air travel.