New Delhi: As India entered its 17th day of the three-week lockdown Thursday, private Indian airlines engaged in a witty exchange on Twitter and imposed upon the need to stay home by asking each other to “stay parked, stay safe”.
The playful banter started when IndiGo poked fun at fellow airline Air Vistara asking “not flying higher these days we heard?” with the hashtag #StayingParkedStayingSafe.
Hey @airvistara , not #flyinghigher these days we heard? #StayingParkedStayingSafe #LetsIndiGo
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) April 10, 2020
To this, Air Vistara, whose tagline is ‘you fly higher’, responded by saying: “No IndiGo, these days being on-ground is a wonderful thing. Flying would not be the ‘smart’ choice, what say @goairlinesindia? #StayingParkedStayingSafeGo”.
No ? @IndiGo6E, these days being on-ground is a wonderful thing. Flying would not be the ‘smart’ choice, what say @goairlinesindia? #StayingParkedStayingSafe
— Vistara (@airvistara) April 10, 2020
Agreeing with Air Vistara, Go Air replied saying: “Staying home is the safe feeling. We can hardly wait till everyone takes to the skies, coz at the moment it’s not like now everyone can fly”, and brought Air Asia into the conversation as well.
Totally, @airvistara! Staying home is the safe feeling! We can hardly wait till everyone takes to the skies, coz at the moment it's not like #NowEveryoneCanFly right, @AirAsiaIndian? #StayingParkedStayingSafe
— GoAir (@goairlinesindia) April 10, 2020
The thread continued with Air Asia insisting that staying home was the “red, hot spicy thing” to do and tagged SpiceJet.
Absolutely @goairlinesindia, for now though, staying at home is the Red. Hot. Spicy thing to do! Isn't that right @flyspicejet?! #StayingParkedStayingSafe
— AirAsia India (@AirAsiaIndian) April 10, 2020
With no other airline to bring into the conversation, SpiceJet then tagged the Delhi Airport’s Twitter handle, saying: “Been a while since this bird flew out of her cage. But we’re happy creating a safer tomorrow, today! Right Delhi Airport?”
Agree with you @IndiGo6E @airvistara @goairlinesindia @AirAsiaIndian @flyspicejet, 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! #WorkFromHub #StayingParkedStayingSafe
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) April 10, 2020
Rounding up the conversation, Delhi Airport commented saying: “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!”
Also read: IndiGo to deep clean aircrafts frequently, temporarily suspend meals post lockdown
India and Covid-19
The lockdown, called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 24 March, included grounding of all airlines as well as suspension of railways and metro services in the country. It also included the closure of restaurants, malls, fitness clubs and spas.
The Covid-19 pandemic, which has impacted the entire world, has led to nearly 6,000 positive cases in India and 199 deaths.
According to reports, India Thursday recorded the highest single tally of Covid-19 cases, with more than 700 new infections reported of the virus.
Also read: ‘Know how critical it is’: IndiGo, SpiceJet join relief efforts to fight the pandemic