Welcome Aboard New Normal: Flying restrictions firmly in place as safety guidelines take root

No meals, no eatables, no magazines, no on-board sales, Aarogya Setu not required for kids below 14, limited baggage, minimal use of lavatory, less contact by security staff and using masks throughout the journey. That’s new age flying for you.

India has issued detailed guidelines for airlines, airport, passengers and other stakeholders, for resumption of domestic flights after a gap of two months. The domestic flights will operate again from May 25, as lockdown restrictions continue to get eased.

Here are the new norms:

Before arriving at airport

• Familiarise yourself with the new procedures, especially about norms of social distancing, minimum touch, luggage limitations, Covid-I9 declaration, digital payments.
• Don’t travel if you stay in a containment zone.
• Register on Aarogya Setu app. However, it will not be mandatory for children below 14 years of age.
• Avoid last minute reaching the airport. Report two hours in advance of flight time.
• Ensure web check-in, obtain boarding pass
• Print the baggage tag and affix it on the bag at a prominent place. In case you are unable to take a print, write the PNR and the name of the passenger on a piece of paper and paste it on the bag.
• Download baggage tag with an identification number.
• During transit to airport, take all precautions to prevent infection.

In the initial stage, a passenger can carry only one hand baggage and one check-in. Carry minimum baggage as use of trolleys will be limited.

Permission to travel will be given only after a declaration is made by the passenger. In case of a PNR having more than one passenger, declaration will be for all passengers mentioned in the PNR.

At the Airport

• Before entering the terminal, ensure you are wearing protective gear.
• Mask is compulsory throughout the journey.
• Walk towards thermal screening facility near the entry gate.
• Get yourself checked for temperature. Get status of your health checked through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form.
• Once screened, move to the CISF counter at the entry checkpoint. Display identity card, boarding pass/e-boarding pass.
• Proceed to baggage drop counter.
• At the baggage drop counter, display PNR and identification to the staff. After checking baggage tag, the staff will accept it. An electronic slip will be sent via SMS.
• Complete check-in procedure and baggage drop-off at least 60 minutes before departure.

Security gate:

• Arrangements made at airports to guide passengers to walk through the pre-embarkation security screening.
• Security staff will practice ‘minimum touch’ concept to reduce physical contact with passengers.
• While waiting in the security hold area, maintain social distancing and sanitisation protocols. Chairs marked ‘not for use’ should not be occupied.
• Before boarding, collect your safety kit (three- layered surgical mask, face shield and a sanitiser) near the boarding gate.
• Boarding for a flight will commence 60 minutes before departure and boarding gate will be closed 20 minutes before departure.
• Self-scan your boarding pass.
• Show your ID card to the airline staff at the boarding gate.

After boarding

• Maintain hygiene and sanitation. Face to face interaction to be minimised.
• Minimise use of lavatory and avoid any nonessential movement.
• Only one companion for children and elderly to be allowed.
• No meal services in the aircraft. Water bottle will be made available in the gallery area or on seats.
• You will not be permitted to consume any eatables inside the aircraft during the flight.
• No paper/magazine will be available in the aircraft.
• No on-board sale of any item.
• lf you feel uncomfortable, fatigued or coughing, notify the crew.

From airport to destination

• Follow instructions and don’t rush to exit gate.
• Social distance/sanitation should be maintained at arrival gate.
• Wait near the baggage hold area till your luggage arrives.
• Transit passenger will not be allowed to come out of the transit area.

Exiting the airport

• Use the authorised taxi maintaining the prescribed hygiene protocols.
• Follow social distancing and hygiene while travelling back to your destination.

Once you have arrived, adhere to health protocols as prescribed by the destination state.