‘Living with Coronavirus’ will make a lot of changes in the lifestyle of people. And one such lifestyle change will be the way they travel.
After the centre gave a nod to reopen the airspace after flight operations were suspended during the 54-day lockdown period, the Airports Authority of India has issued its set of protocols for recommencement of domestic flight operations.
These standard operating procedures include the mandatory use of Aarogya Setu app for the travelers above 14 years, sanitation of baggage which will be done by the airport operators before the person enters airport and there will be a restriction on vehicles allowed to pick up and drop off passengers.
When the Central government-imposed lockdown, all scheduled commercial passenger flights were suspended in India. However, cargo flights, medical evacuation flights and special flights were allowed to operate after approval by the aviation regulator DGCA.
Guidelines which Airports needs to Strictly adhere to
Departures
- In order to commute to and from airport, the vehicles which are permitted are personal vehicles or select authorized taxi services /transport services with restricted seating. It goes for both the staff and passengers.
- ‘Aarogya Setu’ is a must for all the departing passengers other than children below 14 years. The registration on the app shall be verified by CISFI Airport staff at the entry gate and those not showing green on the app will not be allowed.
- Before entering the terminal building, passengers shall compulsorily walk through Screening Zone for Thermal Screening at a designated place in the city side.
- Trolleys will be given only to select few passengers otherwise the use of trolleys is to be discouraged in departure and arrival area.
- Appropriate arrangement for sanitisation of baggage will be made by the airport operators.
- Plexiglass covering check-in and security check counters.
- Support staff who will be in full protective gear whilst handling passengers with special needs like wheel chair etc.
- The seating arrangement for the passengers shall be done in such a manner so as to maintain social distancing.
- As per guidelines issued by MOHFW, all airport staff handling the flight should be provided with Hand sanitizers and all essential Personal Protective Equipment such as face masks etc.
- No newspaper/magazines will be provided in terminal building/lounges.
- Instead of Central air-conditioning, open-air ventilation will be used inside the airports.
- Entire terminal disinfection should be performed using duly approved disinfectants through fogging/spraying machines or physical mopping at regular intervals
- To abstain from crisscrossing inside the aircraft, at Boarding Gates, passengers should be allowed to board in batches as per seating arrangements
Arrivals
- To ensure social distancing norms, passengers shall be disembarked in batches sequentially.
- Markings like circle, square should be provided around the baggage collection carousel for ensuring social distancing
- Before putting any luggage on conveyor belt, all bags will be sanitised by airport staff.
- Hand sanitisers shall be made available by airport operator for passengers and airport staff at various locations.
- Airport operators shall ensure that every nook and corner of building and public areas be sanitised and cleaned.
- Regular fumigation at taxi pickup and drop off points outside airport.
It is to be noted that the AAI manages more than 100 airports across the country whilst the airports in the cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are managed by private companies.
While it will take time for people to accept it as ‘New Normal’, aviation stocks on Thursday rallied up to 10 per cent in opening trade after the announcement made by the government regarding opening of the skies for domestic passengers.
Let’s hope things eventually get back to normal and we are not stuck in an economic slub!