Good news for air travellers as the government has revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for domestic and international travel. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic airlines were not allowed to serve food or beverages to the flyers. But as per Civil Aviation Ministry’s new rules, they will be allowed to so.
Yes, the government has permitted airlines to serve pre-packed food and beverages on domestic flights. On international flights, they can serve hot meals and alcohol too. The Ministry has also warned that any passenger who refuses to wear a face mask in a flight can be put on the no-fly list by the airline.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said, “Airlines may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages on domestic flights depending on the duration of flight. Airlines and charter flight operators can “serve hot meals and limited beverages” on international flights “as per the standard practices“.
Here are the list of rules to be followed while flying:
1) Meal Service
- The airlines have been allowed to provide meal services on board.
- Airlines may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages as per the policy of the Airlines depending on the duration of flight time.
- Airlines, private aircraft and charter flight operators can now serve hot meals and limited beverages.
- In all classes, tray set-up, plates, and cutlery will be completely disposable with no re-use
- Used disposable trays/crockeries /cutleries shall not be re-used.
- They can even use cleaned disinfected rotables. Used rotables shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before re-use.
- In all classes! tea/coffee/ non-alcoholic beverage/alcoholic services will be in disposable cans/containers/bottles/glasses.
- There will be no pouring service
- The crew shall wear a fresh set of gloves for every meal/beverage service.
- The passengers would be informed of the new practices by way of passenger announcements.
2) In-Flight entertainment
- In-Flight Entertainment wherever available may be switched on by following the guidelines.
- All IFEs will be cleaned and disinfected prior to the boarding of passengers.
- Disposable earphones or cleaned and disinfected headphones will be provided to passengers.
- Each seat will have its own dedicated IFE to be used only by the passenger occupying the seat.
- All passenger touchpoints will be carefully cleaned and disinfected after the flight.”
3) Ban if no mask
- DGCA has announced: Refusal to wear a face mask on board a flight could put a passenger on the no-fly list.
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