Government issues fresh guidelines for Air passengers ahead of domestic flight recommencement

INDIA: Ministry of Civil Aviation has issued a standard operating procedure (SOP) for domestic passengers, detailing all arrangements to be in place so as to ensure that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 is minimized, as it allowed to recommence domestic flights from May 25 onwards.

In the SOP, the ministry said that social distancing measures are to be enforced for the passengers at the airports and there should be adequate sanitisation measures.

The guideline stated that Only those passengers with confirmed web check-in will be allowed to enter the airport. Passengers will be required to wear protective gear (face mask). Only one check-in bag will be allowed.

In addition, Aarogya setu app has been made mandatory for all the travelers and only those passengers will be allowed who shows green status in the app exceptions will be children below the age of 14.

“All departing passengers must compulsorily be registered with ‘Aarogya Setu’ app on their mobiles and the same shall be verified by CISF/Airport staff at the entry gate,” Airport authority of India document reads.

-DO’S

• Maintain social distancing and minimum touch.
•  Traveller to certify the status of his/her health through the Aarogya Setu App or a self-declaration form.
•  Use of digital payment methods.
•  Ensure Web Check-in and obtain a boarding pass.
• -Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag allowed.
• -Vulnerable persons such as very elderly, pregnant ladies, passengers with ailments are advised to avoid air travel.
• Passenger to download the baggage tag/baggage identification number, print it and affix it on the bag at a prominent place.
•  If a passenger fails to print the baggage tag, then he/she should mention the PNR number and his/her name on a piece of paper and tag it with the luggage.
•  Passenger must enter the terminal wearing a mask Passenger to report at the airport as per revised reporting time of 2 hours.
•  Passenger to travel in an authorized taxi/personal vehicle following the norms specified by MHA.
•  During transit to the airport, the passenger should take all precautions to prevent infection

DON’TS

• Passenger should reach airport two hours before departure time.
• Those staying in a containment zone should not travel.
• Those tested positive for COVID-19 should not travel.
• -who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey he/she shall be liable for penal action.

Earlier, Union Minister Harshdeep puri has announced that the recommencement of domestic flight operation from May 25. Alongside, he had informed that the standard operation flight procedures would also be followed.

In view of coronavirus, Air flights, Domestic and International flights had been suspended from 25th March. Currently, all commercial flights are suspended except for cargo and repatriation flights conducted by Air India to bring back stranded Indians abroad.