The government is in discussion with airlines to start scheduled commercial flight services post lockdown on May 17. Government sources have confirmed to CNN-News18. The flight services will resume in a phased manner. Initially, domestic airlines will start operating, followed by international flights.
The government is also discussing social distancing norms in the flight. They have suggested vacating one seat to maintain social distancing inside the flight. But Airlines are of the view that vacating one seat to maintain social distance will increase the price burden on passengers. The ministry has asked airlines to work out measures so that passengers will not be paying this additional burden.
The final decision will be taken once the final plan is ready.
Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has shared an exit plan. They said that commercial passenger flights at Indira Gandhi International airport will initially operate from Terminal 3. They added that entry gates, self-check-in machines, and check-in bays will be allocated to airlines to avoid overcrowding by air travellers.
The airport will keep all food, beverage, and retail shops open to avoid overcrowding at one place and use “ultraviolet disinfection tunnels” for all incoming baggage.
The passengers of Vistara and IndiGo would enter the airport through gates 1 and 2. These two airlines will have check-in rows A, B, and C among them. AirAsia India and Air India passengers will use entry gates 3 and 4. These passengers will then go to rows D, E, and F for check-in. SpiceJet and GoAir passengers would enter through gate 5 towards the staff of these two airlines at rows G and H for check-in.
Passengers of all other domestic airlines will enter through gate 5 and will head to row H. All international airlines’ passengers will enter using gates 6, 7, and 8. The staff of these airlines would be sitting at rows J, K, L, and M for check-in at Terminal 3.
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