Vistara, India’s leading full service air carrier operated by Tata SIA Airlines Limited has decided to cut its in-flight services as health safety measures due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

On Thursday (April 30), Vistara has announced to make some temporary changes in its both domestic and international in-flight products and services, so that the health and safety of the passengers is not affected.

The airline also informed that the service modifications in premium economy class and economy class of its domestic flights include reduction in meal choices and withdrawal of services like onboard sales, welcome drink, hot meals and hot beverages, in order to minimize the touch points of human contact in flight by up to 80 per cent during the post lockdown period.

Not only this, the Starbucks coffee and Turkish towels that the passengers used to get in business class and premium economy class have also been removed.

The airline stated “Water pouring will be replaced with a distribution of 200ml sealed water bottles on all flights, and cold refreshments will be served to customers in premium economy and economy cabins, including to customers opting for economy lite fares.”

In addition, Vistara cabin crew members will receive a special training on minimizing their chances of contracting with the passengers or spread the COVID-19. The cabin crew members will also wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and disposable gloves, at all times.

“They will undergo thermal screenings before the departure and arrival of flights and will be quarantined/tested if any colleagues or passengers show symptoms of infection or test positive for COVID-19,” said airline.

With regards to international passenger flights, the airline will review the services accordingly to curtail physical contact with travellers.

To further reduce the risk of spreading the virus by touch, the airline said it had temporarily removed in-flight magazines and other reading materials from its aircraft fleet.