AAI announces SOPs for domestic flight services

Dharshana Kathiresan, INN/Chennai, @Infodeaofficial

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) issued a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for airports as domestic flights are scheduled to fly from Monday, May 25. The air travel was suspended two months ago on account of a lockdown, imposed to contain the COVID-19 infections.

The Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said, There’s no contradiction between domestic flights beginning from May 25 and lockdown in India being imposed till May. He also said that the government will try to resume the functioning of international passenger flights before August.

As per the announcement, the first domestic flight will take off from Terminal 3 of Delhi airport around 4.30 am on Monday. In the first phase, 28 domestic flights will take off from Delhi for various destinations across the country.

According to the SOPs released by the AAI, passengers will have to reach the airport minimum two hours prior to departure and only the passengers who have their flight scheduled in the next four hours will be allowed to enter the terminal. It is mandatory to wear protective gear such as gloves and masks while entering the airport for all passengers.

The travelers have been advised to carry their boarding passes along with them. They also have to download the Aarogya Setu App in the mobile phones failing which they will have to sign an undertaking that they are free from Coronavirus infection. The registration on the app is not compulsory for passengers below the age of 14 years.

The AAI has asked parking areas to be strictly monitored by the airport officials along with the assistance of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and traffic police to prevent congestion and maintain social distancing. Only personal vehicles and authorised taxi services will be allowed to enter.

Passengers shall compulsorily walk through the screening zone for thermal screening at a designated place in the city side before entering the terminal building said the AAI in its order.

It also stated that the airport operators must make appropriate arrangements for sanitation of passengers baggage before their entry into the terminal building. State governments and local authorities have been asked to ensure the availability of public transport and taxis for passengers as well as staff of the airlines.

On completion of the air travel, passengers will have to abide by the guidelines laid down by the destination state.

The SOP released by the Airport Authority of India for domestic travel is as follows,

-Passengers will have to reach airport two hours in advance -Passengers should wear masks and gloves

-Only those whose flight is in the next four hours will be allowed to enter terminal building -Compulsory thermal screening for all passengers before entering terminal building

-Avoiding use of trolley which will be available to a select few passengers on request basis

-Aarogya Setu app has been made mandatory except for children below the age of 14 years

-Sanitization of passengers’ baggage by the airport authority before entry into the terminal building. Passengers will have to go through a thermal screening zone on the city side of the airport before entering into the terminal building.

-Mandatory social distancing at airports.

-Upgraded security procedures to ensure minimal contact between passengers and airport employees.

-Mandatory use of face masks by passengers as well as airport employees.

-Enhanced security and airport employees at check-in counters to assist passengers in maintaining social distancing norms.

-Constant announcements about social distancing and other norms

-Boarding and deplaning in batches to maintain social distance

-The AAI has suggested the blockade of seats between individuals by using proper markers and tapes to ensure social distancing between people sitting at the airport terminals.

-The use of alternate check-in counters has been prescribed by the AAI to avoid congestion.

-Mats, carpets soaked with bleach – sodium hypochlorite solution – to be placed at entry for disinfection of shoes

-Every airline company will have its designated CUSS kiosk so that they can deploy their staff to help passengers.

-The AAI has asked for the proper provision of Personal Protective Equipment including face masks and sanitizers.

-The AAI has recommended the use of PPE wherever deemed necessary.

-The AAI has asked for cleanness and sanitization of ‘every nook and corner’ of the terminal buildings including washrooms, chairs, counters, X-ray machines, trolleys, travelators, escalators, lifts, railings, doors, etc.

-The use and supply of newspapers and magazines at airports/lounges have been restricted by the AAI.

-The AAI manages more than 100 airports across the country. However, major airports like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are managed by private companies.

-The AAI had earlier communicated to airport managers across the country to be prepared to handle flight operations as soon as they resume post lockdown.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

%d bloggers like this: