After two months of nation-wide lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of India has allowed airlines to resume the operations of domestic flight in a staggered manner from May 25 (Monday).

Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri, the Aviation Minister, has informed by his tweet on Wednesday (May 20), “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020. All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May. The SOPs (standard operating procedures) for passenger movement are also being separately issued by civil aviation ministry.”

A senior official said all details on flight resumption likely soon and bookings for flights should also resume by today afternoon. They expect fares to be high and are discussing a floor as well as cap on fares to protect the aviation industry as well as consumers.

The government expects that about one-third of flight operations will restart in the first phase. The new standard operating protocols (SOPs) will also put in place with recommencement of domestic flight operations. As of now, all SOPs are still awaited but few of them are announced as follow:

1. Only personal vehicles or select authorized taxi services or transport services with restricted seating will be permitted to enter the airport.
2. All the departing passengers must have ‘Arogya Setu’ App on their mobiles and the same will be verified by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) or Airport staff at the entry gate. Passengers not showing “Green” on Arogya Setu App will not be allowed to enter.
3. Passengers should reach the airport at least four hours before departure and the security gates would be shut one hour before the flight departure time.
4. Only those passengers who have departure in the next four hours will be allowed to enter into the terminal building.
5. It has advised passengers to carry just one luggage item.

In a circular issued on Wednesday, the DGCA said that due to the coronavirus pandemic, majority of civil aviation pilots have not been able to fly. Operators need to ensure that the pilots are current and proficient for operations and continue to meet instrument flying requirement. Moreover, airline crew members will also get trained and will ensure about all safety measures in the flight.

In addition to above, there will be enhanced deep cleaning and disinfection at the airports. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad airports are also setting up thermal screening counters at departure and arrival gates. Delhi plans to open only Terminal 3 so it can transfer all passengers through aerobridges. Mumbai airport has also created quarantine centres at both the terminals of the airport. Mumbai and Bengaluru will maintain social distance through particular markings at the terminals, maintaining 1.5 meters distance between each passenger.