Fasten your seat belts!

Phased manner

Domestic flights are all set to return form May 25 in a scaled manner. This is two months after services had been stalled due to COVID-19. Initially the plans were to restrict the domestic airlines in the current lockdown, however, the airlines are worst hit in terms of economy in these COVID times.

So in a phased manner with utmost precautions the domestic flights would resume.  A standard operating protocol has been released for all the passengers that will be strictly adhered to. All the airports had been previously asked to prepare well. There will be an initial 30 % occupancy of the flights.

Important things for passengers

Passengers may be asked to fill up a questionnaire related to COVID-19. Maybe no cabin baggage is allowed. The use of the Aarogya Setu app will be an integral part of the protocol. Passengers with Red status may not be permitted to travel.  Reaching the airport two hours prior will again be an integral part of the protocol.

Pregnant females and immune-compromised passengers are asked not to travel at the moment. Passengers with a confirmed web check-in would be allowed to board the flight. Wearing face-masks and gloves would be mandatory.  Newspapers would not be given as they were previously distributed. Baggage trolley use will be allowed to a minimum.

Meal services would be restricted. Passengers will have to print boarding passes at home and only one bag per person would be permitted.

Sanitization

Adequate sanitization would be carried out at the airports. There has been substantial use of UV technology-based assistance to keep in check the spread of COVID-19.  CCTV footage will allow personals to see the disinfection process.

Other similar technology includes the use of disinfection tunnels that would help disinfect at numerous touch-points. Mobile disinfection towers would ensure more safety for passengers. Shoe sanitizers at strategic points would ensure the safety of all. Various foot mats would be soaked in disinfectants to ensure the passenger’s feet remain free of any micro-pathogens.

All the crew members will mandatorily use face-shields, Personnel protective equipment, and gloves in this hour of need also keeping the middle seat empty will take a heavy toll on the airline’s economy. It will also raise the fare of airlines but this option has been excluded for the time being.

The airport plans to bring maximum safety to the customers, however, it is also mandatory for passengers to comply with all instructions.