Q&A: New Travel Norms For Domestic Flights, Know What's Allowed And What's Not

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has released Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to all its airports for domestic air travel which will begin from May 25, 2020.

(Photo by Dibyangshu SARKAR / AFP)

New Delhi: The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has released a Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to all its airports in preparation for restarting domestic air travel. The services were suspended for two months due to nationwide lockdown but Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced yesterday that the services will start again in a calibrated manner from Monday, May 25, 2020. The Minister had also informed that the special operating procedures (SOPs) for passenger movement was being worked on and will be issued separately. What are the changes? What should passengers keep in mind before traveling? Here are the answers to some basic questions related to the new travel norms at airports. Is web check-in mandatory? Yes web check-in is mandatory. No physical check-in at airport counter would be done. Only those passengers with confirmed web check-in shall be allowed to enter the airport. How shall passengers commute to and from airports?

• State governments will have to ensure the availability of public transport and private taxis connecting the airport so that passengers and staff can travel to the airport
• For commuting to and from the airport only personal vehicles or authorized private taxis with the requisite number of passengers will be allowed for both staff and passengers

How many hours before the flight, should passenger reach airport?

• Passengers have to reach 2 hours before the scheduled departure and only those who have a departure in the next 4 hours will be allowed inside the terminal.

About the luggage; What to carry?

• Passengers should keep in mind that only one check-in bag will be allowed.
• Use of baggage trolley have to be minimized

What are changes in boarding time? Boarding for flight will commence 60 minutes before departure and the boarding gate will be closed 20 minutes before departure. What's not allowed inside the aircraft?

• No newspapers of magazines shall be provided on board by airlines.
• Airlines shall not provide meal services on board.
• No queuing up near the lavatory, only one companion allowed for children & elderly

What are some 'mandatory' rules now?

• It is mandatory to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, etc
• It is also compulsory for passengers to be registered to the Aarogya Setu app and it will be checked by security personnel at the airport. The app is not mandatory for children below 14 years of age.
• Those who do not show ‘green’ in the App will not be allowed inside the airport.

What changes are introduced for preventing Covid-19 spread?

• Mandatory to wear protective gear such as masks, gloves, etc
• Passengers will have to undergo thermal screening before entering the terminal building.
• Physical distancing will be taken into consideration in passenger seating arrangements.
• Airport staff will be provided with hand sanitizers and personal protective equipment (PPE)
• And proper arrangements will have to be made for sanitation of passengers' baggage before entry to the terminal building.

What about eating arrangements?

• All food and beverage (F&B) and retail outlets to be opened with Covid-19  precautions.
• Take-away to be encouraged to prevent crowding.
• Promote digital payments
• self-ordering booths at F&B and retails outlets
• Airlines shall not provide meal services on board.

Also Watch: How air travel has changed in India due to Coronavirus