International airline operations could start from April 15 on a case-by-case basis, which could help stranded Indians to return to the country.

Also airlines can start the process of booking tickets for domestic flights, but they have to be cancelled in case the 21-day lockdown is extended, the government said.

“The lockdown is till April 14. So, any incoming flight will have to wait till then. Airlines can resume services then (on or after April 15) but on a case-by-case basis,” civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri told reporters via a video conference in response to a question on when Indians struck abroad will be able to come home.

Pradeep Kharola, secretary in the civil aviation ministry, added that the opening up of foreign countries could be on a case-to-case basis after a thorough examination of the situation by the ministries of home, health and others.

In the case of domestic flights, the government said it has not issued any new directive to the airlines and it is working ahead with the understanding that the lockdown period will end by mid-April.

“It is all up to the airlines. Airlines should judge the situation. If passengers make bookings and the lockdown ends by mid-April, then those bookings will be honoured. If there is a situation of lockdown extension, the airlines will have similar arrangements as they had for bookings made till April 14,” Kharola said.