In view of surging Covid-19 cases in India, Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday announced that no meal will be served on flights with a duration of 120 minutes to minimise the spread of infection.
As per the amended existing standard operating procedure (SOP), no meals can be served in the domestic sectors flights wherein the duration is less than two hours.
It further said that the airline may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages as per the policy of the airline, wherein the duration is two hours or more.
However, it added that in all classes, tray set up, plate and cutlery which would be used, have to be completely disposable and no re-use or cleaned and disinfected rotatable can be used.
“Used disposable trays/crockeries/cutleries shall not be re-used. Used rotatable shall be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before re-use,” the order read.
Also, tea, coffee, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages should be served in single-use disposable cans, containers, bottles or glasses. All used disposable and rotatable trays, plates, cutleries etc will be disposed off by the crew members. The crew members will wear a fresh set of gloves for each meal/beverage service. The in-flight meal services will be staggered among adjacent seats as far as possible.
The Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had recently approved 18,843 flights every week from 108 airports for the Summer schedule, beginning on the last Sunday of March till the last Sunday of October.
