Airport security Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has made a new necessary plan for air passengers post lockdown imposed to prevent the spread of coronavirus. In the new plan submitted to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), CISF said that when flight operation resumes “passengers’ “reach timing” at the airport two hours before their flight timing with proper protective gear eg; mask, gloves, and sanitisers.”
CISF also urged the civil aviation ministry that sanitiser bottles can be also placed at every exit and entry gates of the airports for passengers and employees. Flying with a seat vacant between every two people could be the ‘new norm’ for air passengers when scheduled commercial flights resume, CISF said in the new plan. According to the officials, the plan is under consideration and the idea behind it is to seek staggered flights to avoid crowding at airports at any time.
“We have proposed a new plan incorporating necessary precautions in view of the change of circumstances due to COVID-19. This has been sent to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) for consideration,” GA Ganapathy, Special Director (Airport) of CISF, said. Further, CISF advised all the airlines that they make it clear for the passengers booking tickets that they should give details of their home/self-quarantine history.
If any passengers are flying after quarantine history, CISF will screen them in isolation checking points where CISF officers are covered in full personal protective equipment (PPE) suit. Airlines crew will offer sanitisers to every onboard passenger, as per the plan.
Passenger flight operations in India are suspended from March 25, due to coronavirus.
As of now, there is no clarity from the government regarding resumption of flight operations. Minister of Civil Aviation (MoCA) Hardeep Puri tweeted, “The current Lockdown on both domestic & international passenger flights is till April 15. A decision to restart the flights after this period remains to be taken. If required, we will have to assess the situation on a case by case basis.” Civil Aviation Ministry, Airport Authority Of India (AAI), Director General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and other stakeholders are working together on how to resume operations post lockdown.
