Passenger Flight Operations To Resume Soon? Government Issues Draft SOP For Passengers, Airlines And Airports

Indicating that the domestic passenger aviation operations could soon resume, the centre yesterday (12 May) issued the draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) which contain guidelines not just for the airlines, but also for the airports and passengers, reports Hindustan Times.

As per the guidelines, while passengers above the age of 80 years will not be allowed on flights, other passengers will also not be allowed to carry any cabin luggage. The passengers will also have to ensure that the check-in baggage weighs not more than 20 kilograms during the first phase of resuming flight operations.

The guidelines also mandate that the passengers will have to complete web check-in at their homes itself. The reporting time has also been proposed to be increased by two hours. Also, only those passengers will be allowed into the airport premises whose flights would be scheduled to depart in the next six hours.

However, the government has done away with the rule of keeping the middle seat vacant that was earlier put in place to maintain physical distancing.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has already received the suggestions and feedback from the stakeholders from the sector who had been asked to review the draft guidelines. However, the final SOP is yet to be issued.

“It is clarified that suggestions were sought on a draft discussion paper from airlines and airports. The suggestions have now been received.The final SOP is yet to be issued,” said Rajeev Jain, additional director general at the ministry of civil aviation.