Domestic Flights Resume In India: All You Need To Know

Domestic flight operations in India resumed after a two-month-long period on May 25. Domestic carriers including IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air Asia, and Air India resumed services with a host of new rules in place to ensure the safety of everyone. GoAir will resume flight services from June 1. 

While many flights took off successfully, there were several flights that were also canceled at the last minute much to the ire of passengers. Among the first to take-off were Delhi-Pune and Mumbai-Patna flights. Both flights were operated by IndiGo on Monday morning. While the Delhi-Pune flight departed as scheduled at 4.45 AM, the Mumbai-Patna flight departed at 6.45 AM.

Each state has specific rules for quarantining passengers

Every state has instated new rules for passengers arriving at airports. While some states have instituted mandatory institutional quarantine, others have asked arriving passengers to put themselves under home quarantine. Maharashtra was openly against the resumption of domestic flights, however, the state finally allowed Mumbai airport to handle 50 domestic flights per day.

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Civil Aviation Minister tweets about negotiations with states to resume flight services

On Sunday evening, Civil Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted: “It has been a long day of hard negotiations with various state govts to recommence civil aviation operations in the country. Except Andhra Pradesh which will start on 26/5 & West Bengal on 28/5, domestic flights will recommence across the country from tomorrow.”

New rules in place at airports and on-board

New rules have been put in place for passengers that have begun flying:

  • Passengers will have to reach the airport 2 hours before the scheduled time of departure. Further, passengers who have a departure in the next 4 hours will only be allowed to enter the Terminal building. 
  •  Protective gears such as masks, gloves, etc. are mandatory for all passengers
  • Aarogya Setu’ App will be mandatory for all passengers and it will be verified by the CISF/Airport staff at the entry gate. The app is not compulsory for children below the age of 14 years. 
  • Thermal screening of all passengers is compulsory before entering the terminal building. 
  • No use of trolleys at departure and arrival area without a compelling genuine reason. 
  • Luggage of passengers will be sanitized before entering the Terminal building. There will be mats/carpets soaked with bleach for disinfecting shoes. 
  • There will be more check-in counters that will be operational so that there is no crowding. Airlines will have to deploy more staff for the same. 
  • Newspapers/ magazines will not be provided in the terminal buildings and lounges. 
  • Hand sanitizers will be provided by airport operators for passengers and airport staff at various locations. 
  • All F&B and retail outlets will be open at the airports but take away will be encouraged.

Also Read: Heathrow Airport Begins Testing Thermal Screening

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