Patna airport gears up to ensure contactless checks

PATNA: As the Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport is likely to resume domestic flight operations from May 25, it has prepared fresh standard operating procedures (SOPs) for passenger movement that include contactless frisking and checks.
Civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri announced on Wednesday that domestic flights would resume in a gradual manner from May 25. “All airports and air carriers are being informed to be ready for operation from May 25.The SOPs for passenger movement are also being separately issued by the ministry of civil aviation,” he wrote on his Twitter handle.
Patna airport director Bhupesh C H Negi told this newspaper that social distancing norms would be strictly followed by all the airlines.
“Details about the commencement of flights are still awaited because that decision has to be taken by the airlines. However, we have made all the necessary arrangements,” he said.
The airport’s assistant general manager (air traffic management), Santosh Kumar, pointed out that the staff of different airlines and the security personnel at the airport counters and gates would ensure contactless frisking and checks.
“As a precautionary measure, all the passengers will be screened outside the terminal building before they take their boarding passes, which will not be issued manually. Markings have been created for the flyers so that they can maintain distance,” Santosh said, adding that sanitizers would be placed at all counters and hand-free soap machines installed at several points.
Besides, the passengers’ luggage will be disinfected. Santosh said, “All the airport staff will wear masks and gloves and a movable retail outlet will sell personal protective equipment to the passengers. The terminal building will also be sanitized from time to time.”