Airport Authority of India issues post-lockdown guidelines

The Airport Authority of India (AAI) has issues new guidelines that will be implemented in Indian airports after the lockdown is lifted in the country.

India has been under lockdown since 25 March due to the ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic.

The new guidelines impose restrictions on the number of terminals that will be operational, as well as the food and beverage outlets.

According to the AAI guidelines, “Initially, it is presumed that airline operations will be limited to Tier-I cities i.e. metros and some of the state capitals and major Tier-II cities.”

According to the guidelines, airports with more than one terminal will have to initially operate only one terminal after the lockdown.

In addition, alternate baggage carousels should be used to ensure that social distancing is maintained.

The guidelines added: “Limited food and beverages and retail outlets to be made available to the passengers till operations of airlines gradually increases. Initially, they should serve tea / coffee etc, with takeaway snacks in boxes.”

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Bars and restaurants in airports will not be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages unless they receive permission from city or state administration.

The airports will also have to allocate different parking stands and baggage belts for aircraft that arrive from Covid-19 hotspots.

AAI manages over 100 airports in the country. However, airports in the key metro cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad are managed by private companies.

Previously, Delhi International Airport and Mumbai International Airport announced that they would implement stringent measures to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.

The airports announced that they would install markings to ensure 1.5m distance in queues and will set up temporary quarantine centres.

Hyderabad International Airport has also planned to implement similar measures and ensure that social distancing is followed. Earlier this month, India planned to implement new rules at the airport to avoid crowding and restrict the spread of Covid-19.