Cabin Baggage Unlikely To Be Allowed Once Commercial Flights Resume In India

New Delhi: The new normal, as we learn to live with the novel coronavirus, is set to bring in certain changes that will take some getting used to.

For instance, the government is likely to bar cabin luggage when commercial flights resume post lockdown. Just one piece of check-in baggage, weighing less than 20 kg, will be allowed per passenger – at least in the first phase of flights resumption.

In another expected move, passengers above 80 years will not be allowed on flights.

Commercial flight services have been suspended in the country since March 24. Only special planes are being operated during this period to transport essential goods and medicines to different parts of the country and evacuate stranded Indians from different countries.

The Hindustan Times has reported that a draft standard operating procedures (SOPs) says that passenger ID checks will be done away with while entering airport gates to minimise crowds.

The civil aviation ministry wants airlines companies and airport operators to go through the draft and suggest their views.

It will be compulsory for all passengers to arrive at the airport only after completing web check-in at home. Reporting time at the airport is likely to be increased by two hours. Only passengers whose flights are scheduled to depart in the next six hours will be allowed inside the airports.

If any passenger is stopped from boarding a flight for running a high temperature, he/she will be allowed to change travel date without any penalty.

Also, downloading the Aarogya Setu app will be mandatory for all passengers. They will be allowed to enter the airport only if the app displays ‘green status’.