Nearly two months after all airline services were grounded due to nationwide lockdown to arrest the spread of Coronavirus, domestic flight services are set to take off from May 25th. Union Minister for Civil Aviation, on Wednesday, informed regarding th development and asked all airlines providing domestic flights and airports to gear up for the resumption of flight services within India. On Thursday, SoPs or standard operating procedures for the domestic flight services resuming in the middle of lockdown 4.0 were released laying out a detailed plan for the safety of passengers and crew members.
Various airline services like Air India, Indigo, GoAir, Air Asia, Vistara, Spicejet, etc., are also expected to release their own passenger guidelines and rules. There are reports that the first batch of flight services will start from airports located in the Green Zone areas. But it is expected to be a tough call for airlines as major domestic airports like IGI Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Jaipur, etc., are in areas with a big number of Coronavirus cases.
Financial Express online brings to you latest news and updates on resumption of domestic flights in India. Stay tuned:
Flight routes have been classified into 7 – 1) Flight time less than 40 minutes, 2) 40 – 60 minutes, 3) 60 – 90 minutes, 4) 90 – 120 minutes, 5) 120 – 150 minutes, 6) 150 – 180 minutes, 7) 180 – 210 minutes. All routes within the country fall within these 7: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep SIngh Puri (ANI)
40% of seats have to be sold at a fare less than the midpoint of the band. For example, midpoint of Rs 3,500 & Rs 10,000 is Rs 6700. So, 40% of the seats have to be sold at a price less than Rs 6,700. This is how we’re ensuring that fares don’t go out of control: Civil Aviation Secy (ANI)
We’ve set a minimum and a maximum fare. In the case of Delhi, Mumbai the minimum fare would be Rs 3500 for a journey between 90-120 minutes, maximum fare would be Rs 10,000. This is operative for 3 months – till one minute to midnight on 24th August: Civil Aviation Minister HS Puri (ANI)
This order which is being issued today shall remain in force till 23:59 hours IST on 24th August: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (ANI)
The cabin crew will be required to be in full protective gear. Only one check-in bag will be allowed. Passengers should report before at least 2 hours before departure time. Fares will be regulated and will be in a fixed range: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (ANI)
A passenger will require to wear protective gear, face mask and carry sanitizer bottle. Airlines shall not provide meal on board. Water bottles will be made available in gallery area or on seats: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri
For operation from Metro to Metro cities 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020, which is more than 33.33%. For operation from Metro to Non-metro cities and vice-versa, where weekly departures are greater than 100, 1/3rd capacity of approved summer schedule 2020: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (ANI)
A self-declaration or Aarogya Setu App status on a compatible device would be obtained to ensure that a passenger is free of COVID19 symptoms. Passenger with red status on Aarogya Setu App will not be allowed to travel: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (ANI)
Based on our experience on opening up of domestic flights, we might have to tweak some procedures, only then we will think about international flights: Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri (ANI)
Guidelines for air passengers: Security Hold Area
- While going around F&B, retail outlets, etc., passenger should be aware of the social distancing and maintain hygiene. Also, he/she should be aware of the locations where sanitizers would be made available
- Passenger to dispose of all the bio hazardous material like used masks, gloves, tissues, etc., in the yellow-colored disposable bins/bags placed at startegic locations at the airports
Guidelines for air passengers: Security Hold Area
- Passenger to proceed to security hold area after security screening
- While waiting in the security hold area, passenger to maintain social distancing and sanitization protocols
- Chairs marked ‘Not For Use’ should not be occupied
Guidelines for air passengers: At Security Check-in
- Passenger to bring only one hand luggage as per specified size allowed by the airlines
- Passenger to cooperate with security staff by following the instructions for his/her own safety and security
Guidelines for air passengers: At Security Check-in
- Arrangements have been made at airports to guide passengers to walk through the pre-embarkation security screening
- Passenger to follow the directions as announced by the authorities and divest of all metal on the body to facilitate security screening
Guidelines for air passengers: At The Airport
- Passenger to adhere to the social distancing which would be specified at the Airports through markings like circle, square oe tensor barrier
- Passenger to complete the check-in procedure and baggage drop at least 60-minutes before departure
Guidelines for air passengers: At The Airport
- Passenger to proceed to the baggage drop counter and show his / her PNR to the staff. Avoid using baggage trolley, as far as possible
- An electronic receipt shall be sent to the passenger
Guidelines for air passengers: At The Airport
- In case of non-availability of Aarogya Setu, passenger should be facilitated to go to a counter provided by the airport where Aarogya Setu App can be downloaded
- Passenger to show his/ her identity card, the boarding pass / e-boarding pass to the CISF staff at the Entry Gate
Guidelines for air passengers: At The Airport
- Passenger to arrive at the thermal screening facility near the entry gate
- Passenger to get himself / herself checked for temperature and display the status of Aarogya Setu App to the staff at the entry gate
Guidelines for air passengers: At The Airport
- Passenger should continue to wear mask throughout the journey
- Passenger to get down from the vehicle with the face mask on and with required documents / e-documents
The passenger shall give a declaration to the following:
- I / we am / are not residing in any containment zone
- I / we am / are not suffering from any fever/ cough /any respiratory distress
- I / we am / are not under quarantine
- If I / we develop any of the above mentioned symptoms I shall contact the concerned health authorities, immediately
- I / we have not tested COVID-19 positive
- I / we am / are eligible to travel as per the extant norms
- I shall make my mobile number / contact details available to the airlines, whenever required by them
- I understand that if I undertake the air journey without meeting the eligibility criteria, I would be liable to penal action
- I / we undertake to adhere the the Health Protocol prescribed by the destination state/ UT
Important Instructions For Air Passengers
- If a passenger who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey he/she shall be liable for penal action
- The airlines shall ensure that the boarding pass is issued only after the passenger confirms to all required declarations
- In case of a PNR having more than one passenger, the declaration would be deemed to be covering all the passengers mentioned in the PNR
From Origin to Airports: Don’ts
Follow these norms
- Passenger should not reach the airport late
- Passenger should not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone
- Passenger should not travel if he/she has been tested positive for COVID-19
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
- Passenger to travel in an authorized taxi/personal vehicle following the norms specified by MHA
- During transit to airport, the passenger should take all precautions to prevent infection
- Passenger to certify the status of his/her health through the Aarogya Setu App or a self-declaration form
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
- Before entering the terminal, passenger to ensure that he/she is wearing a mask
- Passenger to report at the airport as per revised reporting time i.e., D-2 hours
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
In case the passenger is not able to print the baggage tag, then he/she should mention the PNY number, and his/her name on a thick piece of paper and affix it or tag it with a strong string
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
- Ensure web check-in and obtain a boarding pass
- Passenger to download the baggage/tage baggage identification number, print it and affix it on the bag at a prominent place
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
- Baggage limitations- Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag allowed
- Vulnerable persons such as pregnant women, very elderly, passengers with ailments are advised to avoid travel
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
- Digital payments
- Use of authorized taxis
From Origin to Airports: Do’s
Follow these norms
- Social Distancing and Minimum touch
- Agreeing to the self declaration form
- Registering on the Aarogya Setu App
Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri’s tweet on the resumption of domestic passenger flight operations from Monday, May 25 has created a buzz in the airline sector. He had said that the government will come out with the Standard Operating Procedure for airports and airlines very soon. Read More
“Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020. All airports & air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May. SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by @MoCA_GoI.”, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri’ tweeted. Read More
