Pune: After a gap of 60 days, the Pune airport is ready to start the flight from almost 10 destinations including Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Nashik. Owing to the lockdown, the airport will operate only 30 per cent of its summer schedule.
On Thursday, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) issued Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to airport operators for recommencement of domestic flights from May 25. Many airlines started their bookings from Friday among which Indigo was the first airline to start the bookings from 10 am. After that, SpiceJet and Air India too opened the booking windows. All the tickets from the three airlines from Delhi to Mumbai were booked in an hour. Booking in progress for other cities”, said an official.
“Route and station charts have been given to all airlines by the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). A total of eight airlines allowed routes. These include Air India, Indigo, Go Air, Air Asia Alliance Air, SpiceJet, True Jet (not for Pune) and Vistara. However, the bookings have not started in Vistara, Alliance Air, Air Asia and Go Air,” said a source from an airline.
Pune Airport Director Kuldeep Singh said, “We are resuming flight operations from May 25. We have put physical distance markers/stickers at various queue locations. We have deployed staff at the terminal building for the thermal screening of the passengers before entry. The symptomatic passengers shall not be permitted. The passengers coming to the airport must follow the guidelines and do cooperate with the officials.”
As per the information, more than 125 flights operate in the summer schedule. The government has allowed only 30 per cent flight operation at each airport. 100 airports in India are managed by the AAI and few have been given to the private operators.
Aviation Expert and analyst Dhairyashil Vandekar said, “Commencing domestic flight operations from May 25 is a very assertive step by the government. The SOP and guidelines laid down by the government for airport procedures are quite sound and irrespective of the zones the cities belong to, safe flight operations for passengers are very much feasible if the government guidelines are strictly adhered to by the airport operators, airlines and the passengers.”
“To protect the passengers from being overcharged due to the expected high demand as compared to the low supply, the government’s decision to cap the airfares for the next three months is highly commendable,” he said.
New guideline for travellers
Passengers must reach the airport 2 hours before.
Entry will be received only after screening passengers at the airport.
For passengers above 14 years of age, the Arogya Setu app is a must be downloaded in the phone. If green is not shown then the entry will not be allowed.
Passengers must use the trolley sparingly.
Passengers will get boarding passes without a line.
All passengers must wear masks and gloves.