DGCA Issues New Directives For Airports To Fine Passengers Without Masks

Bhubaneswar: The Directorate General Of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday issued new directives for all airports to ensure strict compliance of Covid-19 norms by passengers.

In its circular, the DGCA has asked Airport operators to enhance surveillance in view of the violations of the protocols like wearing of masks by passengers.

“The possibility of taking punitive action, such as levy of spot fines in accordance with the law, shall also be explored with local police authorities so as to serve a deterrent for violation of Covid-19 protocol,” the circular read.

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— DGCA (@DGCAIndia) March 30, 2021

Such move comes after it was found that the compliance of the existing Covid-19 protocols was not satisfactory during surveillance at some airports.

DGCA has instructed all airport operators to ensure that the protocols including wearing of face masks properly, covering nose and mouth, as well as maintaining social distancing norms within airport premises are strictly followed.

DGCA Approves 18,843 Flights Per Week For Summer Schedule

Further, DGCA said it has approved 18,843 flights per week from 108 airports for the summer schedule, which begins on the last Sunday of March and ends on the last Sunday of October.

The number of flights for this year's summer schedule has been approved keeping in mind that airlines are permitted to operate not more than 80 per cent of their pre-COVID flights.

"It may be noted that 18,843 departures per week have been finalised to/from 108 airports. Out of these 108 airports, Bareilly, Bilaspur, Kurnool and Rupasi are the new airports proposed by the scheduled airlines," the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said on Twitter.

It said IndiGo's 8,749 weekly flights and SpiceJet's 2,854 have been approved for the summer schedule. GoAir's 1,747 flights, Air India's 1,683, Vistara's 1,288 and AirAsia India's 1,243 have also been approved.

India resumed domestic passenger flight operations on May 25 last year, after a gap of two months due to the coronavirus-triggered lockdown. At that time, airlines were permitted to operate a maximum of 33 per cent of their pre-COVID flights. This was gradually increased to 80 per cent.

(With PTI Inputs)