The Regional airliner Air Deccan announced on that it is ceasing its operations until further notice and all employees are being put on sabbatical without pay.
This would qualify as the first Aviation sector causality due to the coronavirus crisis that has led to a 21-day lockdown and virtually paralysed the sector.
The Air Deccan CEO Arun Kumar Singh in his email to employees said that, In view of the recent global and domestic issues and subsequent directive by the Indian regulator to suspend all commercial passenger flights till April 14, Air Deccan has no choice but to cease its operations.
He also added that they are compelled to put all existing employees of Air Deccan-permanent, temporary and contractual are being put on sabbatical without pay with immediate effect.
Air Deccan has a fleet of four 18-seater Beechcraft aircraft to fly on regional routes in western India, focusing on Gujarat.