To prepare for the start of domestic flight operations on May 25, the Union
Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday released operational rules for airlines. The
government issued the instructions and noted that the airlines would be responsible for
making all necessary steps to
minimize the danger of COVID-19 transmission. The instructions indicated that in order to
accomplish this, the airlines would have to make sure that other service providers including
airports, ground handling companies, and security agencies work together effectively. The
regulations outline the steps that must be done by the airlines during check-in, boarding,
and landing, as well as those that must be taken on board.
Domestic flights recommence: Measures to be taken by airlines
Before departure
- Passengers would need to be informed by airlines about the necessary safety precautions.
The airlines' websites, phone centers, travel agencies, airport displays, and employee
booths stationed at the airports would all need to be used for this.
- The airlines must instruct their employees and ground personnel on the numerous safety
precautions.
- Every aircraft needs to be cleaned both at the end of the day and after each flight.
- The airlines must instruct their employees and ground personnel on the numerous safety
precautions.
- Every aircraft needs to be cleaned both at the end of the day and after each flight.
- They should take steps to inform visitors about the web check-in process, and they
should offer an alternative for visitors without access to computers. Additionally,
airlines must offer telecheck-in services. The airlines must also tell passengers that
using the web or telecheck-in process is required.
- Airlines must develop a system to guarantee that only passengers who have validated
their health status can use the web or telecheck-in option.
- The employees must have access to suitable protective equipment, and it is important to
guarantee that they have received the necessary training in protective measures.
- There should be enough staff members stationed at the airport's entrance to help
travelers.
- Airlines must allow passengers who are refused travel due to extreme weather or advanced
age to reschedule their journey without incurring any fees. The airlines are required to
keep this record.
The handling staff must wear full protective gear and wheelchairs must be pre-sanitized
for passengers who require particular assistance, such as those who are confined to
wheelchairs or unaccompanied youngsters.
- There should be enough counters for passengers to easily drop off their bags.
- All frontline personnel are required to wear protective equipment, and counter personnel
are required to keep a safe distance while taking luggage.
- To establish social distance, passengers must be released in small groups following bag
drop or check-in for security screening.
Guidelines for airlines regarding arrival of passengers
- The employees must have access to suitable protective equipment, and it is important to
guarantee that they have received the necessary training in protective measures.
- There should be enough staff members stationed at the airport's entrance to help
travelers.
- Airlines must allow passengers who are refused travel due to extreme weather or advanced
age to reschedule their journey without incurring any fees. The airlines are required to
keep this record.
- The handling staff must wear full protective gear and wheelchairs must be pre-sanitized
for passengers who require particular assistance, such as those who are confined to
wheelchairs or unaccompanied youngsters.
- There should be enough counters for passengers to easily drop off their bags.
- All frontline personnel are required to wear protective equipment, and counter personnel
are required to keep a safe distance while taking luggage.
- To establish social distance, passengers must be released after bag drop or check-in for
security screening in small groups.
Measures to be taken while boarding
- Announcements informing passengers must be made in the waiting area, according to
airlines.
- An hour prior to the scheduled departure time, boarding must begin, and 20 minutes
before to departure, boarding gates must be closed.
- Before boarding, each passenger must have their temperature taken, and those who exhibit
symptoms should not be allowed to travel.
- Airlines must use 10-person batches for staggered sequential boarding.
- Without a face mask, no passenger should be allowed to board.
- Airlines must make sure that buses are not overcrowded and are routinely sanitized if
they are used to ease boarding.
- It is important to make sure that step ladders are not overcrowded and that their grip
rails are kept sterilized at all times.
On-board precautions to be taken by airlines
- PPE, which includes complete body suits, show covers, masks, and gloves, is required for
cabin staff.
- To avoid unnecessary physical contact with the bags, hand luggage should be kept to a
minimum and stowage bins should be closed as soon as they are full. As soon as possible,
extra or large cabin baggage should be offloaded and delivered to the cargo hold.
- Regular announcements regarding COVID-19 safety procedures are required.
- Once at the destination, passengers must be directed to evacuate in a specific order to
prevent bunching.
- Every hour during the flight, the restrooms on board the aircraft must be cleaned or
sanitized, and they must frequently be sprayed with a disinfectant solution.
- All goods must be removed from seat pockets, with the exception of the safety card,
which needs to be cleaned or changed after each flight.
Other guidelines for airlines during COVID-19 pandemic
In addition to the aforementioned rules, the airlines must abide by these general norms.
- Airlines are required to routinely conduct health checks on all of its staff.
- The airline must try to schedule the same cabin and cockpit crew together to minimize
the risk of cross-contamination.
- In order to limit their exposure to and contact with passengers, airlines must establish
guidelines for the entry of cockpit staff into the cockpit prior to departure and for
their exit following arrival.
- The APHO at the airport needs to be alerted in the event that any crew or staff member
interacts with a COVID-19 patient or is exposed to a potential infection. After each
flight, it is necessary to clean and sterilize frequently touched areas.
- Additionally, airlines must have a good process in place for sanitizing transit planes
carrying passengers to their next destination. The carrier must have the proper air
conditioning.
- In the event of a coronavirus-related on-board medical emergency, the aircraft must be
thoroughly disinfected, paying particular attention to the affected seats.
