Delhi airport has thought of resuming operations in a methodical way after the extended lockdown is over, to facilitate all activities in a hassle-free way and also maintain social distancing at the same time. The nationwide lockdown is now being extended up to 17th May 2020. Initially, the commercial passenger flights will start operating from Terminal 3, as informed by the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL). Also, the airlines will be assigned with separate gates. Here are the details.
How Will It Happen?
DIAL has taken a step-by-step measure to manage the airport crowd efficiently post lockdown. The steps are as follows:
- All food, beverage and retail shops inside the airport premises will remain open once the flight services resume. This will prevent congestion of passengers around one store.
- All incoming baggage will go through ultraviolet disinfection tunnels.
- IndiGo and Vistara passengers will enter the airport only through gates 1 and 2 and head to check-in rows A, B and C.
- Air India and AirAsia passengers will enter through gates 3 and 4. Assigned check-in rows for them will be D, E and F.
- GoAir and SpiceJet passengers need to use gate 5, and approach towards rows G and H for check-in.
- Passengers of other domestic airlines must enter through gate 5 and then reach row H.
- Passengers of international flights have to use gates 6,7 and 8 for entry and head to rows J, K, L and M for check-in.
- Each career will have self-check-in machines and check-in bays allocated to them.
- Passengers might need to print their boarding passes beforehand to reduce contact.
- Temperature scanning at entry points will continue.
- The kerbside and in-terminal zones will have floor markings for social distancing.
- Washrooms, trolleys, counters, security screening areas and more will be sanitized at regular intervals.
- There will be seating arrangements to avoid long queues.
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What Else?
Apart from these arrangements, the authority will take up special measures for the health and safety of airport staff as well. The workers will get PPE, including masks, face shields, gloves, etc. and their temperatures will be monitored on a daily basis. There will be an internal app through which an employee will need to self declare about himself on a weekly basis.
No passenger flights will operate till the end of the lockdown period. However, cargo planes carrying essential goods, medical evacuation flights and DGCA approved flights will have permissions to operate during this period. Apart from that, various outlets in the airport will have digital menus and digital payment options to ensure minimal human contact. There will be self-ordering kiosks at the food court as well.
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This new plan is indeed a smart and streamlined one to provide travellers with all the facilities while ensuring their utmost safety and cleanliness. While it is not yet confirmed as to when will the operations resume, but the airport suthorities seemed to be geared up for it for sure.