The Centre has now permitted the airlines of the country to serve meals and beverages to passengers, after three months of putting a ban on the practice. As per an official order, pre-packed snacks, meals and beverages are allowed on domestic flights and hot meals will be allowed on international flights. The airlines can also put a person on a fly or no fly list.

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Following a stricter safety approach, the airlines reserve the right to put a person on the no-fly list if she or he deliberately refuses to wear a face mask in a flight, a senior official of the aviation regulator DGCA has said.
"It is often noticed by cabin crew that some flyers do not wear masks intentionally. Such 'irresponsible" flyers are a threat to others as well and they will be put on a no-fly list when caught.

No new order has been passed in this regard as the airline and its cabin crew are sufficiently empowered under the existing DGCA rules to take action, PTI reported citing an official.

It is to be noted that the government suspended the in-flight meal service on domestic flights in the wake of coronavirus outbreak in the country. After flights were resumed after a long suspension on May 25, in-flight meal service was not a part of the revised air travel guidelines. On international flights, only pre-packed cold meals and snacks were being served depending on the flight duration since May this year.

As per the latest directives, following measures have been listed:

  • Airlines may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages on domestic flights depending on the duration of flight.

  • Airlines and charter flight operators can "serve hot meals and limited beverages" on international flights "as per the standard practices.

  • Only single-use disposable trays, plates and cutlery should be used while serving food or beverages in domestic and international flights.

  • Crew shall wear a fresh set of gloves for every meal/beverage service

  • Passengers can use the in-flight entertainment system on international as well as domestic flights wherever available.

  • Disposable earphones or cleaned and disinfected headphones will be provided to passengers at the start of the journey