Reach 2 Hrs Prior, Wear Mask, Gloves, Have Aarogya Setu App: How Air Travel Will Be From May 25

A day after Union Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced that domestic flights will resume operations from Monday, May 25, the Airport Authority of India has come up with the guidelines for airports and passengers.

AFP

According to the standard operating procedure (SOP) for airports issued by the AAI, Aarogya Setu app is mandatory for all passengers except for children below 14 years of age. Those that don't show 'green' on Aarogya Setu will not be allowed to enter the airport.

Passengers should reach the airport two hours before departure and must compulsorily go through the thermal screening before entering the airport terminal building.

BCCL

Only passengers whose flights are within the next four hours will be allowed to enter the terminal.

All entry gates of the terminal will be opened to avoid crowding.

All passengers will have to wear masks and gloves.

Trolleys will not be allowed in the arrival or departure sections, except for special cases, for which they will be disinfected.

Airport operators must make appropriate arrangement for sanitisation of passengers' baggage before entry into the terminal building.

Mats or carpets soaked with bleach will be placed at the entrance to disinfect shoes.

Social distancing marks or stickers at a distance of at least a metre will be provided at the entry gates, screening zones and terminals.

For physical distancing in passenger seating areas, chairs to be taped off or marked. Counters with Plexiglas or face shields for staff wherever there is interaction with passengers.

All staff should have hand sanitisers and Personal Protective Equipment as directed by the home ministry.

Employees with high fever, difficulty in breathing or cough will not be allowed entry into the airport.

Newspapers or magazines will not be provided in the terminal buildings or lounges.

When flights land, passengers will be allowed to leave the plane in batches, sequentially.

Only personal vehicles or select cab services will be allowed to take passengers and staff to the airport or from it.

State governments and administrations have to ensure public transport and private taxis for passengers and airline crew.

AFP

India had suspended all flights in late March as the country went into lockdown.

On Wednesday, minister Puri had announced that all airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from May 25. Domestic flights have been suspended in India since Bookings are expected to start Friday for the flights starting May 25.

It is expected that all airports will remain operational but the number of flights will be reduced substantially on a route temporarily by as much as two-thirds.