The Centre on Thursday revised Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for domestic and international travel.
As per the new SOP, airlines can now serve pre-packed meals, snacks and beverages onboard domestic flights. While on international flights, airlines can now serve hot meals and alcohol.
The government has also allowed in-flight entertainment on domestic and international flights as per standard practices.
Following are the new set of SOPs issued by the government:
For domestic flights:
1. Airlines can serve pre-packed snacks/meals/beverages as per their policy and according to flight duration.
2. In all classes, tray set-up, plates and cutlery will be disposable with no re-use, or cleaned disinfected rotables will be used.
3. Beverages to be served in disposable containers. No pouring service.
4. The crew shall wear a fresh set of gloves for every meal/beverage service.
5. In-flight entertainment can be used in whichever airline that allows it. All IFEs will be cleaned and disinfected prior to boarding of passengers. Disposable earphones or cleaned and disinfected headphones will be provided at the start of the journey.
For international flights:
1. Airlines, private aircraft and charter flight operators can now serve hot meals and limited beverages.
2. In all classes, tray set-up, plates and cutlery will be disposable. Beverages, including alcoholic, to be served in disposable containers. No pouring service.
3. The crew shall wear a fresh set of gloves for every meal/beverage service.
4. In-flight entertainment can be used in whichever airline that allows it. All IFEs to be cleaned and disinfected prior to boarding. Disposable earphones or cleaned and disinfected headphones will be provided at the start of the journey.
The central government had banned the meal and beverage service and in-flight entertainment when domestic flights resumed from May 25 and in the international segment under Vande Bharat Mission on May 7.
India had suspended domestic flights from March 25 and international flights from March 23 in view of the coronavirus pandemic.