Domestic flights resume today, over 80 cancellations at Delhi airport, 20 in Bengaluru

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India domestic flights resume: The resumption of domestic air travel after two months was not without hiccups as there were several flight cancellations and confusion over schedule at some airports.

Of the approximately 380 flights that were scheduled for today in the national capital, 82 (both departures and arrivals) were already cancelled by afternoon. And more than 20 flights were also called off in Bengaluru.

Indigo flight 6E643 was the first aircraft of the day to take off from Delhi airport this morning, according to news agency PTI. Those who boarded the first flight included paramilitary personnel, army men, students and migrants who failed to book a ticket on special trains being run by the railways.

Several flyers took to social media to register their grievances against airlines, particularly Air India. Many accused the national carrier of either cancelling without any prior notice or goofing up departure schedules.

At least 11 states and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir have mandated either institutional or home quarantine for arriving passengers.

Governments of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Meghalaya, Odisha and J&K have mandated either institutional or home quarantine for passengers flying to cities in their state. Some like Uttar Pradesh have also mandated registration of arriving passengers. However, Uttar Pradesh has different norms for passengers transiting through the state or those intending to make a short visit, as long as they can produce a proof of departure.

Airports key travel guidelines

The Airports Authority of India has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for airport operators for recommencement of domestic flight operations. Among the key guidelines include mandatory use of Aarogya Setu app for those above 14 years, sanitation of baggage by airport operators before entering the airport, restrictions on vehicles allowed to pickup and drop off passengers.

Here are the guidelines that airports need to follow

Departures

• For commuting to and from airport, both by staff and passengers, only the personal vehicles or select authorized taxi services /transport services with restricted seating to be permitted.
• All the departing Passengers must compulsorily be registered with ‘Aarogya Setu’ App on their mobiles and the same shall be verified by CISFI Airport staff at the entry gate. However, Aarogya Setu is not mandatory for children below age of 14 years. Those not showing green on the app will not be allowed
• Passengers shall compulsorily walk through Screening Zone for Thermal Screening  at a designated place in the city side before entering the terminal building
• Use of trolleys to be discouraged in departure and arrival area. However, select few  passengers, requiring trolley due genuine reasons, to be provided on request basis
• Airport operators shall make appropriate arrangement for sanitisation of baggage
• Plexiglass covering check-in and security check counters
• Support staff handling passengers with special needs like wheel chair etc. will be in full protective gear
• Passenger seating arrangement inside airports shall be done in such a manner so as to maintain
  social distancing among passengers using the chairs by blocking those seats that are not to be used, with proper markers/tapes
• All airport staff handling the flight should be provided with Hand sanitizers and all  essential Personal Protective Equipment such as face masks etc. as per guidelines  issued by MOHFW
• No newspaper/magazines will be provided in terminal building/lounges
• Use open-air ventilation inside airports where ever possible instead of Central air-conditioning
• Entire terminal disinfection should be performed using duly approved disinfectants through fogging/spraying machines or physical mopping at regular intervals
• At Boarding Gates, passengers should be allowed to board in batches as per  seating arrangements in the aircraft to avoid crisscrossing inside the aircraft

Arrivals

•  To maintain social distancing norms, passengers shall be disembarked in batches  sequentially
• To ensure social distance, the markings like circle, square should be provided  around the baggage collection carousel for ensuring social distancing
• Before handing over luggage to passengers, all bags will be sanitised by airport staff before putting them on conveyer belt
• Hand sanitisers shall be made available by airport operator for passengers and  airport staff at various locations
• Airport operator to ensure that cleanliness and sanitisation of every nook & corner of building and public areas including washrooms, chairs, counters, trolleys, railings, doors, lifts, escalator’s etc. to be done before arrival of the flight and after last passenger leaves the Terminal Building
• Regular fumigation at taxi pickup and drop off points outside airport.