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As the country eases several lockdown restrictions, domestic flights will be allowed to resume services from 25 May 2020 with guidelines from Airports Authority of India. Following the order from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the full-service carrier, Vistara Airlines will start operations on a reduced network and increase the frequency of flights gradually as and when regulatory approvals are revised.
The airline says that they will follow strict compliance with all new guidelines. Vistara&rsquos Chief Executive Officer, Mr Leslie Thng said, &ldquo...We will support the government&rsquos initiatives and maintain the highest level of safety, hygiene and security in our operations to provide a flying experience to passengers that they can continue to trust.&rdquo
As of now, the airline will connect 24 cities across the country instilling measures to minimise contact between staff and passengers, introduce health and hygiene measures and temporarily suspend the on-board meal service. Web check-in and Aarogya Setu app will be made mandatory and baggage will be limited to one check-in and one carry-on only.
Vistara has also introduced powerful HEPA filters that are said to trap 99.9 per cent of all particulates (including coronaviruses) and purify the air inside the cabin every three minutes. All passengers will be provided with a safety kit that will include a face mask, face shield and sanitiser and will be required to wear a mask throughout the journey. All staff will, similarly, wear PPE and disinfect the aircraft between flights.
Boarding will be staggered, with scanners for self-boarding and proper social distancing a reverse zone boarding will be put in place. All passengers are requested to factor in the time for social distancing and health check-ups and reach the airport at least two hours before the flight departs.