Intl Flights’ Guidelines Revised In View Of Decreasing Covid Cases, PPE Kits No Longer Mandatory For Airline Staff

This decision comes in consideration of the “decreasing cases” of the Covid-19 virus and the “successful vaccination drive”.

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New Delhi: The Airports Authority of India in its revised guidelines for international flights on Saturday said the requirement of airlines keeping three seats vacant for social distancing has now been removed.

This decision comes in consideration of the “decreasing cases” of the Covid-19 virus and the “successful vaccination drive”.

The requirement of a complete Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kit for the crew members, as per the revised guidelines, has also been removed.

“According to the revised guidelines of #COVID19, the restriction of keeping 3 seats vacant on #InternationalFlights is removed. Also, the requirement of a complete PPE kit for crew members stands removed,” the Airports Authority of India said in a tweet.

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has in tune with the same decided to resume the international scheduled air operations from Sunday.

“In consideration of the decreasing cases of the #Covid19 virus & successful vaccination drive @MoCA_GoI has decided to resume the International Scheduled Air Operations from 27th March 2022. It has revised its existing COVID guidelines concerned with international operations,” the Airports Authority of India wrote on the micro-blogging platform.

The Airports Authority of India further said the pat-down search conducted by the security personnel at the airports is also re-introduced.

However, wearing masks inside the airports and aircraft is still compulsory.

“The pat-down search conducted by the security personnel at the airport is re-introduced. Though wearing masks at the airport or aircraft should still be continued,” the Airports Authority of India said in a series of tweets.

This move assumes significance as the scheduled international passenger flights have been suspended in India since March 23, 2020, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The special passenger flights have, however, been operating between India and around 45 countries since July 2020 under air bubble arrangements.

Under an air bubble arrangement between two countries, the international passenger flights can be operated by their respective carriers into each other’s territories subject to certain conditions.