Centre allows meals aboard flights, says 'no to masks' may invite flying ban

In a fresh relief for fliers, the Centre has allowed airlines to serve pre-packed snacks, meals, and beverages on domestic flights and hot meals on international flights. Any passenger refusing to wear a face mark, however, stands the risk of being put on the “no-fly” list by airlines, a senior official of the aviation regulator DGCA told PTI.

When flight services resumed on May 25, the government banned meals aboard domestic flights, while allowing only pre-packed cold meals and snacks on international flights.

In an order issued on Thursday (August 27), the Civil Aviation Ministry said, “Airlines may serve pre-packed snacks/meals/pre-packed beverages on domestic flights depending on the duration of flight.”

Airlines and charter flight operators can “serve hot meals and limited beverages” on international flights “as per the standard practices”, it added.

The ministry said only single-use disposable trays, plates and cutlery should be used while serving food or beverages in domestic and international flights.

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“Crew shall wear a fresh set of gloves for every meal/beverage service,” it noted.
The ministry also permitted the aircraft operators to let passengers use the in-flight entertainment system on international as well as domestic flights wherever available.

“Disposable earphones or cleaned and disinfected headphones will be provided to passengers at the start of the journey,” it said.

Meanwhile, a senior official of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said, “A passenger who refuses to wear a face mask can be put on no-fly list by the airline.”

The official said no new order has been passed in this regard as the airline and its cabin crew are sufficiently empowered under the existing DGCA rules to take action.

As per the DGCA rules, an airline can choose to put an unruly passenger on its no-fly list after internal deliberations. Subsequently, other airlines may follow suit in putting that passenger on their no-fly lists.

While scheduled international passenger flights are yet to operate since their suspension on March 23, special flights under Vande Bharat Mission and bilateral air bubble arrangements have been operating between several countries.

Domestic flights resumed in India on May 25 after a gap of two months in view of the pandemic. However, airlines are allowed to operate 45 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights.

(With inputs from agencies)