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Airlines engage in banter online amid coronavirus gloom

By The Assam Tribune

NEW DELHI, April 11: These days being on ground is a wonderful thing, IndiGo. Flying would not be the smart choice, what say GoAir?

These are words from full service carrier Vistara, which was soon joined by AirAsia India, SpiceJet and Delhi airport on Twitter.

Amidst planes remaining grounded and gloom in the aviation sector due to the coronavirus pandemic, airlines, led by IndiGo, on Friday took to the microblogging site with humorous exchanges.

The airlines went for "#StayingParkedStayingSafe" hashtag.

In a not-so-often seen trend on social media, airlines -- which generally compete fiercely in the domestic market -- and various airport operators were engaged in banter.

It all started with the country's largest airline IndiGo tweeting, "Hey @airvistara, not #flyinghigher these days we heard?".

Pat came the response from Vistara saying no and adding, "@IndiGo6E, these days being on-ground is a wonderful thing".

To its query "flying would not be the smart choice, what say @goairlinesindia?", GoAir replied saying staying home is the safe feeling.

"We can hardly wait till everyone takes to the skies, coz at the moment it is not like #NowEveryoneCanFly right @AirAsiaIndian?," the airline said.

Continuing the chain of reactions, AirAsia India tweeted saying staying at home is the "Red Hot Spicy thing to do".

Asking "isn't that right?", the budget carrier tagged SpiceJet, which said, "good to know our thoughts match, like our colours!".

"Been a while since this bird flew out of her cage. But we're happy creating a safer tomorrow, today! Right @DelhiAirport?," SpiceJet tweeted.

Taggig all the four airlines, Delhi airport said the "Indian skies will be coloured with you soon but for now thanks for giving us a reason to smile!"

"Together in the skies, and together on ground too!," the airport said.

Commercial flights are suspended till April 14 amid the 21-day nationwide lockdown to curb spreading of coronavirus infections.

Continuing the bonhomie online, Vistara said, "right now we are in a long distance relationship right IndiGo6E?", while GoAir said it is all about social distancing on ground but not at heart.

"We are going to keep you safe on our home turf until you fly again. Stay home and stay 6E at #BLRAirport. Isn't that right @CSIMA_Official and @RGIAHyd?" Bangalore airport said in a tweet.

Continuing the thread, Mumbai airport said it has plenty of room at the airport, tagging IndiGo, SpiceJet, Vistara, GoAir, AirAsia and Air India. It also tagged AAI.

"Staying indoors also apply to our steel birds. We will be back soon, giving wings to desires," Hyderabad airport said in a tweet. - PTI

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