Firdous Hassan
Srinagar: Srinagar International Airport is all set to resume domestic flight operations from May 25 after two months hiatus.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation allowed commercial domestic flight operations to resume across the country from May 25.
Director Airport Authority of India, Srinagar International Airport, Santosh Dhoke told The Kashmir Monitor that they are ready to start flight operation on the scheduled date.
“Airport is ready for resuming the service from May 25. It, however, depends which airline company has been approved to resume flight operation,” he said.
Director Srinagar Airport said they have made arrangements to ensure the contactless movement of passengers and the staff members.
“All the required arrangements have been made. Other arrangements will be completed before May 25,” he said.
Dhoke said Standard Operation Procedures by Airport Authority of India and Ministry of Home Affairs will be followed in letter and spirit.
“At Gate No 1, a spray tunnel has been installed by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation. Besides social distancing will be followed as per the MHA and Ministry for Civil Aviation guidelines,” Dhoke said.
Director Srinagar Airport said they have installed Fiber-reinforced polymer and acrylic sheet to avoid contact of passengers with each other at the check-in counters.
Dhoke said the verification of identity proofs will be done through webcams.
Meanwhile, the Airport Authority of Indian has come up with SOPs to be followed by the airport administration across India while resuming operations.
In its list of SOPs, the Aarogya Setu app has been made mandatory except for children below 14 years of age.
Sanitization of passengers’ baggage by the airport authority before entry into the terminal building, thermal screening, and social distancing has been made mandatory at airports.
Similarly upgraded security procedures to ensure the minimal contact between passengers and airport employees, use of face masks, blockade of seats between individuals by using proper markers, and tapes has been also emphasized in the SOPs.
The AAI has also called for use of alternate check-in, designated CUSS kiosks, cleanness, and sanitization of the terminal buildings including washrooms, chairs, counters, X-ray machines, trolleys, travellators, escalators, lifts, railings, doors, etc.
The use and supply of Newspapers and magazines at airports/lounges have been restricted by the AAI.
