Patna: ‘Shun fear as air travel is quite safe’

PATNA: Patna airport director Bhupesh C H Negi talks about resumption of domestic flight operations from May 25 and preventive measures being taken to ensure safety of flyers. Excerpts:
Will there be takers for air travel under the present circumstances?
It is too early to comment on passengers’ response. The number of flights has already been reduced to one-third of what the Patna airport used to handle before the lockdown.Altogether 19 flights will operate from Patna airport from May 25, as per the provisional schedule released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
Are preventive steps being taken for the safety of flyers?
We will follow the standard operating procedure (SOP) issued by the Airports Authority of India as well as our internal SOP. There is also the guideline of the ministry of home affairs that we will follow. We will try to ensure minimum touch and exposure between passengers and airport personnel. All the staff of the airport, airlines, CISF and housekeeping will wear protective gears. The housekeeping staff will work round-the-clock to sanitise all touch points.
Will there be an isolation facility at the airport with deployment of Covid-dedicated medical staff?
We have created a separate room at the terminal building for symptomatic passengers. If any person shows symptoms of Covid-19, s/he will be isolated in this room by the medical staff. The doctors will then take the person to the dedicated Covid-19 health facility in the city.
Since the present terminal building is quite small, will it be possible to ensure social distancing?
It will be a challenge for us. We have already conducted a meeting with all the stakeholders to ensure zero contact with passengers, hygiene and sanitisation. Yellow markings have been made to ensure that passengers maintain social distancing.
What is the work plan for AAI and airlines staff?
The duty of all the stakeholders is defined. As per the SOP, the airlines need to ensure that sufficient staff is deployed near check-in counters and pre-security area to guide passengers. Airport operators must make appropriate arrangements for sanitisation of passengers’ baggage before entry into terminal building. Employees showing symptoms will not be allowed to work.
What about modes of transportation, like taxis and autorickshaws, for flyers to go to their respective destinations from the airport?
Three-wheelers can enter the airport premises. Taxis, autorickshaws and e-rickshaws will be allowed to carry only two passengers.
What is your message for flyers?
Air travel is the safest mode of transportation. We have taken all preventive measures for the safety of the flyers.