Airlines gear up to start flights post lockdown 2.0

Cost Of Flying Set To Soar Due To Social Distancing

Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com

The experience of flying and the way passengers and aircraft are handled are going to change when the lockdown is lifted. Airlines will use the next 14 days to make changes to check-in and boarding process and also to train staff to ensure that social distancing is maintained for safety.

As per the existing plans, check-in counters will open three hours before departure and close one hour before departure. Passengers may have to either print their boarding pass at home or download them on mobiles before reaching the airport. Flyers will not sit adjacent to one another at the shuttle buses and inside the aircraft. Food may not be served inflight. Announcements to minimise the use of toilets inside the aircraft is also being considered.

SpiceJet and GoAir have firmed up their plans to make changes while others are still working on them. Vinay Dube, CEO GoAir, said, “GoAir is in full preparation mode for a gradual commencement of flights from May 4. We are going above and beyond the government recommendations in an effort to ensure maximum health and safety measures are undertaken.”

The move to enforce social distancing is going to push up the cost of flying. An airline will be able to sell only 120seats in an A320 plane because around 60seats will have to be left empty. Similarly, only 36seats will be sold in a 72-seater ATR-72 plane. Sources said airlines have also asked AAI to allow them to cut schedules by 50% at Chennai airport so that they will not incur loss flying all the flights. Basheer Ahmed of Metro Travels said, “Airfares may start at ₹5,000 to ₹8,000 for most of the domestic routes.”

An airport official said, “Airline staff will brief passengers on the distancing protocols to be followed inside the terminals, at the boarding gates and also while boarding planes using aerobridges and ladders. Stickers are being pasted on the floor to mark space for passengers to wait at entry gates and counters.