As many as 47 flights belonging to seven airlines flew in and out of the Mumbai airport catering to 4,852 passengers, as the Civil Aviation Ministry resumed flight operations on Monday, nearly two months after the Government resorted to lockdown in phases to combat Coronavirus across the country.
As against the permission given for the operation of 25 flights to and from the Mumbai airport, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA)—managed by GVK-Mumbai International Airport Pvt Ltd (MIAL) – operated 47 flights involving seven airlines which collectively catered to 14 sectors
“Together, the seven airlines catered to a total of 4,852 passengers which include 3,752 passengers at departures and 1,100 at arrivals today. The highest passenger load capacity was seen on the Delhi route departing out of the Mumbai airport,” a CSMIA spokesperson said. “All the arriving passengers are being stamped on their left hand for identification and will have to compulsory undergo home isolation for the period of 7 days as per the protocol by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),” the CSMIA spokesperson said.
According to the spokesperson, passengers who are coming in for a short duration and have planned for a return or onward journey, will have to share the details of the same and will be exempted from the isolation.
“The airport has created temporary isolation centres in case if any passenger shows symptoms of the deadly virus during the screening process. Sanitization and fumigation are being constantly conducted at the airport to curb the spread of the virus. We are laying special emphasis on the need for passengers to wear masks and allowing passengers to carry 350ml hand sanitiser,” the spokesperson said.
Additionally, CSMIA has stationed hand sanitizers at all the touch-points at the airport “We are encouraging passengers to web check-in from the safety of their homes. We would also want passengers to check the status of their flights prior to arriving at the airport,” the spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, the CSMIA has advised all the passengers are advised to download the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile devices and to submit a self-declaration form upon their arrival at the airport. “Passengers will be allowed to deboard or board in a staggered manner so that they don’t crowd the screening area,” the spokesperson added.
In a formal announcement made late on Sudnay evening the CSMIA, Mumbai, had said “Starting May 25, 2020, CSMIA will resume 25 commercial passenger flight movements on departure and 25 on arrival. The initiative comes after the directive issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation as well as the State Minister giving a nod to recommence domestic flight operations to and from Mumbai.”.