In a major move, the Centre said domestic flight services would resume from next Monday in a “calibrated manner”. In the wake of COVID pandemic, commercial flight operations have been shut since March 25 in the country.

Taking the social media platform, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted “Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday May 25, 2020. All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from May 25. SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.”

Only cargo flights, medical evacuation flights and special flights approved by the aviation regulator DGCA to operate in the lockdown.

The development comes despite some state governments, including West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, had expressed concern at resuming flight operations during the meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief ministers.

Also Read: Railways to start 200 non-ac trains from June 1

A number of new rules and regulations are expected to be put into place that will change the flying experience. These include mandatory social distancing at airports, revisions in the way security procedures are conducted to ensure minimal contact, use of face masks and personal protective equipment by passengers and employees, among others.

Earlier, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) asked all airports to be in preparedness to handle flight operations.

Also Read: Tamil Nadu allows cabs for air passengers in upcoming lockdown

The Centre is looking at the option of making the Aarogya Setu app mandatory for flyers to have it installed on their phones while taking any flight.

Domestic civil aviation operations will recommence in a calibrated manner from Monday 25th May 2020.

All airports & air carriers are being informed to be ready for operations from 25th May.

SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by @MoCA_GoI.

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 20, 2020

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