Airfares within prescribed limits, no meal service on board

The Centre has asked airlines to set ticket prices within the prescribed lower and upper limits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has come up with a detailed guideline for airlines, airports and passengers as the scheduled domestic passenger flights resume from May 25.

“Airlines should adhere to the lower and upper limits of fares prescribed by the Ministry during the period of COVID-19 pandemic,” it said.

The airlines will not provide meal services on board as per the guidelines. Passengers will be required to wear the face mask right before entering the terminal till the end of the journey.

The cabin crew also will have to be in full protective suit.

Also, people staying in containment zones would not be allowed to travel initially.

As per the guidelines, passengers would have to certify their status in terms of coronavirus infection through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form.

“The passenger shall not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone. Also,they should not travel if they have been tested positive for COVID-l9. The passengers are expected to certify the status of their health through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form,” it said.

If a passenger, who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey, he or she shall be liable for penal action, as per the guidelines.

Further, passengers will have to wear protective gear, or a face mask before entering the terminal as per the prevailing requirement and he will continue to wear the mask throughout the journey.

During transit to airport, the passenger should take all precautions to prevent infection.

In the initial stage, a passenger would be entitled to carry maximum of one hand baggage and one checked-in baggage as per the specifications by the airline of his travel.

The ministry also said that limited passenger flight operations of about one-third of capacity would be permitted to operate on May 25.

The guideline said: “On the day of commencement, limited operations (about l/3rd) would be permitted.”

“Further augmentation of flights will be done in a calibrated manner.”

The guidelines advised “Vulnerable” persons, such as very elderly, pregnant women and passengers with health issues to avoid air travel.

Furthermore, it detailed that no physical check-in counters would be allowed at the airport.

“Only those passengers with confirmed web check-in shall be allowed to enter the airport.”

Besides, the Centre advised the airlines to adhere to the lower and upper limits of fares prescribed by the Ministry during the period of COVID-19 pandemic.

The guidelines comes a day after Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Wednesday said: “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday, May 25.”

“All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from May 25,” he said.

Furthermore, the minister said the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the passenger movement would be issued soon.

Since the imposition of the nationwide lockdown in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak on March 25, passenger air services have remained suspended for both scheduled domestic and international flights.-IANS News