CAA issues new coronavirus SOPs for domestic, international flights

Only passengers and airport staff will be allowed to go beyond parking area

ISLAMABAD:

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for domestic and international flight operations amid coronavirus pandemic.

Director Air Transport of issued a notification of the new SOPs, announcing that they would remain effective from August 26 to December 31, 2020, and would also be applicable on the chartered flights operating from within the country.

According to SOPs, only passengers and airport staff will be allowed to go beyond the parking area and no protocol will be allowed. Protocols of any sort will remain suspended for the passengers and they could only be dropped before the departure lounge of the airport.

The plane would be disinfected before departure and crew members would be bound to wear PPE [personal protective equipment] kits, during the flight. The mangers of the country-wide airports have been made responsible for the implementation of fresh guidelines.

The airlines will be required to provide complete detail of the passengers to the airports. Health department officials would perform coronavirus tests of all passengers. All luggage and cargo shall be disinfected by the airline soon after landing.

Boarding passes shall be issued with a gap of at least one adjacent seat. All the passengers are required to wear surgical masks throughout the duration of the flight.