The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has told airlines to allot seats in such a manner that the middle seat is kept vacant if passenger load permits & if the seat is occupied due to passenger load, additional protective equipment like wrap-around gown should be provided in addition to the three-layer face mask & face shield.

The airlines have been asked to provide all passengers with safety kits which include three-layered surgical mask, face shield & adequate sanitizer (sachets/bottle).

The DGCA had issued directions to Air India on May 6 for strict compliance of Standard Operating Procedures for operations of evacuation flights under Vande Bharat Mission & subsequently issued a circular on May 22 disseminating guidelines issued by

Ministry of Civil Aviation to various stakeholders for the resumption of scheduled domestic operations.

The said SOP & circular included the measures to be taken by various stakeholders for protecting the health of passengers.

The Apex Court, in its order of May 25, observed that the DGCA is free to alter any norms he may consider necessary during the pendency of the matter in the interest of public health & safety of the passengers rather than of commercial considerations.

The DGCA, in its directions which will come into force from June 3, has said that airlines shall allot the seats" in such a manner that the middle seat/seat between two passengers is kept vacant if the passenger load & seat capacity permits the same".

It said that "However, the members of the same family may be allowed to sit together".

According to the directions, "If the middle seat/seat between two passengers is occupied due to passenger load, then additional protective equipment like 'wrap around gown' (Ministry of Textiles approved standards) shall be provided to the individual occupying the intervening seat in addition to the three-layer face mask & face shield".

The DGCA said that "No meals or drinking water shall be served onboard except in extreme circumstances arising due to health reasons".

It said the embarkation/ disembarkation shall be sequential & passengers shall be advised by airlines to follow the instructions & not to rush to the entry-exit gate. The airline shall ensure orderly entry exit of the passengers.

The authority said that airlines shall set the air-conditioning system in such a way that the air gets replaced at the shortest possible intervals.

"Aircraft shall be sanitized after the end of each sector when there is no passenger on board. However, on transit flights, when passengers are on board, the seats (including its contacts) which have been vacated by the passenger shall be sanitized."

At the end of the day, each aircraft shall be deep cleaned as per the procedure prescribed & special attention shall be paid to sanitize the seat belt & all other contact points.

The directions said aeroplane lavatories shall be cleaned/sanitized frequently during the flight.

"Airlines shall carry out health check-up of all crew regularly. All flying crew cabin crew shall be given full protective suits. In case of COVID-19 related medical emergency on board, aircraft disinfection shall be carried with special attention to all the affected & adjoining seats."

The directions said that airlines/ airports will explore the possibility of having a disinfection tunnel to ensure the safety of passengers after fully evaluating its health implications on human beings.

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