Domestic flights resume from May 25: Here are the dos and don'ts for flyers

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday issued guidelines for airlines, airports, air passengers and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of domestic passenger flight operations from May 25 amid the coronavirus lockdown.

According to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), passengers must have the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones which has to be verified by CISF or airport staff at the entry gate. However, Aarogya Setu app is not mandatory for children below 14 years of age.

Social distancing, usage of authorised taxis for commute and more usage of digital payments are some of the norms laid out by the ministry. 

Following is the detailed list of guidelines by the civil aviation ministry: 

Do's

• Social Distancing and Minimum touch
• Agreeing to the self-declaration form
• Registering on the Aarogya Setu App
• Digital payments
• Use of authorized taxis
• Baggage limitations- Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag allowed
• Ensure web check-in and obtain a boarding pass
• Passenger to download the baggage/tag baggage identification number, print it and affix it on the bag at a prominent place
• In case the passenger is not able to print the baggage tag, then he/she should mention the PNY number, and his/her name on a thick piece of paper and affix it or tag it with a strong string.
• Before entering the terminal, passenger to ensure that he/she is wearing a mask
• Airlines to inform passengers reporting time at the airport is at least two hours before the scheduled time for flight's departure.

Dont's

• Passenger should not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone
• Passenger should not travel if he/she has been tested positive for COVID-19
• Vulnerable persons such as pregnant women, very elderly, passengers with ailments are advised to avoid travel
• Passenger to board the aircraft in a sequential manner
• Passenger advised minimizing the use of the lavatory
• No queuing on planes for bathrooms, only one companion with children and elderly
• No meals to be served, passengers cannot bring their food.  Water bottles kept on every seat
• No newspapers/magazines allowed on board
• Upon arrival, passengers to wait with social distancing for baggage to arrive

Other important instructions for air passengers

• If a passenger who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey he/she shall be liable for penal action
• The airlines shall ensure that the boarding pass is issued only after the passenger confirms to all required declarations
• In case of a PNR having more than one passenger, the declaration would be deemed to be covering all the passengers mentioned in the PNR