new Delhi: The Airports Authority of India on Saturday said in its revised guidelines for international flights that the requirement of keeping three airlines vacant for social distancing has now been done away with.
The decision has come in view of the “decreasing cases” and “successful vaccination drive” of the COVID-19 virus.
As per the revised guidelines, the requirement of a complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kit for the crew members has also been removed.
“As per the revised guidelines on #COVID19, the restriction of keeping 3 seats vacant on #InternationalFlights is lifted. In addition, the requirement of a complete PPE kit for crew members has been removed,” the Airports Authority of India said in a tweet.
The Union Civil Aviation Ministry has accordingly decided to resume international scheduled air operations from Sunday.
“Declining #Covid19 virus cases and successful vaccination campaign @MoCA_GoI has decided to resume international scheduled air operations from 27th March 2022. It has revised its existing COVID guidelines relating to international operations,” Airports Authority of India Wrote on micro blogging platform.
The Airports Authority of India further said that pat-down searches conducted by security personnel at airports have also been resumed.
However, wearing masks is still mandatory in airports and inside planes.
“The pat-down searches conducted by the security personnel at the airport have been resumed. However wearing of masks at the airport or aircraft should still be continued,” the Airports Authority of India said in a series of tweets.
The move assumes significance as scheduled international passenger flights in India are suspended with effect from March 23, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, special passenger flights are operating under air bubble arrangement between India and around 45 countries since July 2020.
Under an air bubble arrangement between two countries, international passenger flights may be operated by their respective carriers in each other’s territories, subject to certain conditions.