NEW DELHI: As the Delhi and Mumbai airports try to cope with heavy air traffic during peak hours, the Civil Aviation Ministry has asked the domestic airlines to operate the same number of flights as notified in their winter schedule from these airports.

The Government decision would mean that the carriers would not be able to launch new flights from the two major metro airports in the country during their summer schedule, which would have normally been notified from March 25.

The decision to freeze the existing number of flights from Delhi and Mumbai airports during the next seven months of summer schedule was taken on Monday at a meeting between Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Chawla, senior Ministry officials and representatives of the airlines.

The airlines were also told to adhere strictly to their schedules and operate flights without any delay as it would have a cascading effect. To clear the peak-hour rush, Delhi airport will have both runways ready for operations during evening hours as well. At present, simultaneous operations on the two runways in Delhi are allowed between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. In Mumbai too, the airport operator will soon make use of the cross runway to ease congestion during peak hours.

Ministry sources said the plan of operating domestic flights during non-peak hours — between midnight and early morning — did not find favour with the airlines who were against the move of introducing "differential pricing" as non-peak hour operation would have meant paying half of the normal landing charges.

Both Delhi and Mumbai airports handle about 25 to 30 flights an hour and are capable of handling more provided infrastructure was improved and simultaneous runway allowed for use constantly.

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