Airports and airlines in India are preparing their own standard operating procedures (SOPs) to resume services at 30 per cent of the usual schedule, once the lockdown ends. Prior to lockdown, as many as 7,800 flights were scheduled daily.

In the first phase, to enforce proper social distancing in airports and aircraft, only 30 per cent of domestic and international flights will begin operations, as per a report in the Business Standard.

The measure is in line with the Airports Authority of India’s (AAI) internal guideline which states that “once the lockdown is lifted, airports shall be facilitating limited domestic or international flights in phases.”

Notably, half of the 7,800 flights pre-lockdown were handled by airports controlled by the AAI. No dates have been announced yet on when the flights can begin operations, but companies are preparing nevertheless, it noted.

A limited number of food, beverage and retail outlets would be allowed to function with takeaway facilities; while shared spaces such as playrooms, prayer halls and smoking rooms would have limited access to minimise crowding, it added.

Airlines are also pre-empting lower demand for flights in their SOPs and new service schedules. GoAir, for example, will begin with a fleet of 8 to 10 aircraft, the paper added. As per estimates by the Airport Council International (ACI), footfalls in Asian airports will slip by 40 percent in CY20.

Flight operations were suspended on March 23, a day before the first phase of the country-wide lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19 began. The second phase of lockdown was extended till May 3, and is expected to be lifted in phases.