Thread by @ari_maj

Hello, after 2 months India has resumed commercial #aviation

My employer has asked me to fly from @DelhiAirport to @BLRAirport and back

I will be tweeting about #NewNormal of flying post during #COVID__19

DEL wears a deserted look with barely 14 flights an hour

Mostly people who have essential needs are taking the flight very cautiously

Suraj, from Noida has an urgent surgery that needs to be done at Bangalore & has covered himself in a hazmet suit

#aviation during #COVID__19

Airlines have placed agents so that you don't get confused about the gate number

Segregation is essential to maintain #SocialDistancing

#aviation during #COVID__19

Crisis also means business opportunity. Multiple stores selling PPE have been set up at DEL

You can buy gloves, masks, sanitisers from here. They are reasonably priced

#aviation during #COVID__19

Delhi Airport had installed a scan & print boarding card system for contactless boarding

The scan isn't working. You have to manually push your PNR number. So, wear a pair of gloves

#aviation during #COVID__19

There is confusion over the self declaration form which was suggested as an alternative if one doesn't have #arogyasetuapp

Gate managers at DEL are clueless & airlines are saying they have shortage of forms

So if you don't have the app reach early

#aviation during #COVID__19

Airlines are providing with face shield but to a very few.

It's mostly a branding opportunity for them. So, please carry your own.

#aviation during #COVID__19

Some of the stores inside the terminal has opened up.

Of course liquor shop had to.

But, again please don't crowd the store and wait for your turn.

#aviation during #COVID__19

Almost all airlines have made hazmat suit & face shield compulsory for cabin crew as they will be in contact with passengers

For pilots ,gloves & masks are mandatory

#aviation during #COVID__19

Airlines are doing zonal boarding.

Only queue up when your seat number is announced.

Thermal checking is also being done by airlines at boarding gates
#aviation during #COVID__19

IMPORTANT:Please be well versed with the protocols of the states where you are travelling to

Like registering with the Seva Sindhu app if flying to Karnataka

Airlines are strict with this & many being denied boarding as they hadn't registered

#aviation during #COVID__19

.@CISFHQrs has still kept it necessary to put mobile, laptop, wallet & purse, belt in the tray.

How safe is that? Wish some alternative arrangement can be worked out
#aviation during #COVID__19

180 seater VT-IFW will take me to @BLRAirport today

80 are flying including me. With 100 seats empty, there is ample space for #SocialDistancing

Request the cabin crew for a seat if you want distancing.

Be polite & they will happily oblige

#aviation during #COVID__19

Government has mandated that boarding to be done ny aerobridge as much as possible

With few flights, it's expected that you will not be "bussed" whether you are flying low cost or premium

#aviation during #COVID__19

Ready to take off after a delay of 1 hour!

Lots of procedures have changed in #NewNormal of #aviation

For instance, aircraft needs to be santised after every landing at major airports. So, things will be a little off in the first few days

See you at @BLRAirport
#COVID__19

Landed in @BLRAirport . The in-flight kit has changed in times of #COVID__19

IndiGo provided with a kit which had a face shield, mask and two sachets of sanitizer

#aviation during #COVID__19

Avialiability of wheelchairs are scarce but airlines still trying to provide that where it's absolutely essential

If you are down with some injury, it's advisable to postpone that travel

#aviation during #COVID__19

Ok ! So airlines are also using bus along with aerobridge

More than adequate #SocialDistancing is being maintained inside the bus. IndiGo used 3 bus to carry 80 passengers to the terminal

#aviation during #COVID__19

Karnataka is strictly enforcing the mandatory quarantine. Large number of APHO officials are noting down the address & mobile number of incoming passengers.

If you have a connecting flight, you can straightaway head to domestic transit

#aviation during #COVID__19

At @BLRAirport airport health officials are using a pulse oximeter test

The purpose is to check how well heart is pumping oxygen . It is used to monitor the health of individual

Hope the officials are trained to identify genuine cases
#aviation during #COVID__19

Indians are avoiding flights:

Airlines will kill each other for a 5:30 PM slot from @BLRAirport

But here are the empty check-in counters

The display unit shows multiple flight cancellations

#aviation during #COVID__19

It's almost nearing the end of Day 1 of resumption & the argumentative Indian has lost his appetite for #SocialDistancing

If you are taking a flight, please listen to the crew. Don't queue up.

The aircraft will not leave without you

#aviation during #COVID__19

You can draw as many squares & boxes but ultimately it depends on social culture

Whether the airline can keep you safe depends on you

Maintain #SocialDistancing

#aviation during #COVID__19

SpiceJet cancelled 3 flights to get a fairly full last flight out of @BLRAirport

#Social_Distancing went for a toss as everyone jumped out of their seat, immediately after touchdown at DEL

Seven request of " कृपया हमें बताने तक बैठे रहें" by the crew helped
#COVID__19

Delhi is the most liberal metro regarding screening policy
No registration of incoming passengers

A thermal screening post manned by a bored person who didn't bother if one walked away 20 metres away

I sincerely hope @ArvindKejriwal has thought it out

#aviation & #COVID__19

IMPORTANT for passengers landing at @DelhiAirport late night. There will be no @Olacabs or @Uber_India avialable

However, @MeruCabs has a counter outside the terminal which is functional 24*7 but is costlier.

A 22 km (35 mins) ride cost me Rs 885

#aviation during #COVID__19

Hope this helps you to prepare well for flying during these uncertain times

Our safety & revival of economy is in our hands

Video shows aircraft parked for more than 2 months on Delhi's runway. Sad sight for an #AvGeek

Hope we beat #COVID__19 soon

Have a safe flight