KARACHI: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Friday warned the airlines of strict action over reports of continuous violation of the standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The CAA cited violation of the COVID-19 SOPs by airlines despite strict implementation orders from the National Command and Operations Centre (NCOC) issued a fresh travel advisory.
In the advisory, it said that the airlines would ensure the mandatory use of masks by passengers while entering the airport and during flights.
“Every passenger will be provided with a mask at the check-in counter by the airlines,” the SOPs read adding that the cabin crew would discourage any sort of gathering during the boarding and offloading process.
The airlines would be bound to take a picture of all passengers wearing masks during the flight and convey it to the CAA authorities via Whatsapp.
Furthermore, the CAA advisory also instructed all representatives of the domestic airlines to reach CAA Air Transport Directorate for a briefing on COVID-19 SOPs.
On August 25, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had issued new standard operating procedures (SOPs) for domestic and international flight operations amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
According to a notification issued by the Director air transport of the CAA, the SOPs would remain effective from August 26 to December 31, 2020, and would also be applicable to the chartered flights operating from within the country.
As per SOPs, only passengers and airport staff will be permitted to go beyond the parking area and no protocol will be allowed.
Protocols of any sort will remain suspended for the passengers and they could only be dropped before the departure lounge of the airport.
The plane would be disinfected before departure. The crew members would be bound to wear PPE kits, surgical flights and gloves during the flight.
The managers of the country-wide airports have been made responsible for implementing the fresh guidelines. The airlines will be bound to provide complete details of the passengers to the airports.
Health department officials would perform COVID-19 tests of all passengers. All luggage and cargo shall be disinfected by the airline soon after landing.
Boarding passes shall be issued with a gap of at least one adjacent seat. All the passengers are required to wear surgical masks throughout the duration of the flight.
ADVERTISEMENT
