Domestic flights in the country will resume operations in a calibrated manner from Monday, May 25, announced by Hardeep Puri, union civil aviation minister on Wednesday. Airports, airlines being informed to be ready for operations. However, there is no information yet on international airline operations. The government suspended all flights since 25 March when the first nationwide lockdown imposed by the government contains COVID-19. The lockdown has since been extended thrice, every fortnight, from the initial announcement date. The latest and fourth phase will run till 31 May.
Two months after the services were suspended following the nationwide lockdown imposed to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). Airlines have either slashed salaries or asked employees to go on a sabbatical without pay, due to the aviation sector heavy hit by the Coronavirus pandemic. Hardeep Singh Puri Union Minister of Civil Aviation advised the Central government to go for cooperative federalism, saying planes should not be landed in states without the approval of the state governments.
As per the guidelines issued by the Airports Authority of India, Passengers will have to wear a mask and other protective gear and maintain at least four-feet physical distance from co-passengers, also they may have to download the Aarogya Setu app on mobile phones. On Thursday the bureau of civil aviation issued guidelines for enhancement of admissible limit of hand sanitizers to be carried in cabin baggage.
Passengers will have to do a web check-in before the journey and stamping of boarding passes has also been suspended to reduce contact between passengers and security staff.
Published:- Hindustan View 21-05-2020