As Covid-19 cases go down, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has allowed airlines to serve or sell meals on all domestic flights irrespective of their duration. In addition, the Ministry has also allowed to keep reading materials like newspapers and magazines on all flights on domestic routes.
The announcement came days after the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare told the Ministry of Civil Aviation that meals
can be served in flights that have less than two hours of journey time.
Issuing an order, the MoCA said the airlines offering flights on domestic routes may provide meal service on board, without restrictions on duration of flights. The order from the Ministry further stated that the airlines — both international and domestic — can provide magazines/reading materials for passengers on board.
“The decision to resume meals and magazines has been taken as Covid caseload has reduced due to proper implementation of appropriate Covid behaviour protocol,” the Ministry said in the order.
The ban on serving foods in flights that fly for less than two hours was implemented in April this year, during the second wave of Covid-19 infections in the country.
However, on flights that had a journey time of more than two hours, food was allowed conditional that the tray, plates, cutlery should also be disposable and none should be reused.
Beverages like tea, coffee, alcoholic and non-alcoholic were also allowed only in disposable cans and bottles. All crew members in the flight were asked to wear a fresh set of gloves after every meal or beverage served.
Earlier in August 2020, the Government had allowed the carriers to serve food under certain conditions. “Airlines may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages on domestic flights depending on the duration of flight,” the Ministry had said.