Travel Updates

Traveler Guidelines 

Follow These Important Guidelines for Domestic Travel

We sincerely urge you to follow these compulsory travel guidelines listed out by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and other relevant authorities, for a safe and hassle-free flying experience!

  • Passengers are required to wear face masks at all times, at the airport and in the flight.
  • Passengers must arrive at the airport, using a personal or an authorized vehicle only.
  • Travellers are advised to download and activate the Aarogya Setu app on their phones.
  • Travellers are required to certify the status of their health through the Aarogya Setu app or a self-declaration form, and go through temperature screening.
  • Only passengers who have completed web check-in will be allowed to enter the airport. Please do carry an e-boarding pass on your mobile. Alternatively, you can carry the printout of the boarding pass.
  • Travellers should report to the airport at least 2 hours prior to the departure time. Boarding gates will close 20 minutes before departure.
  • Only passengers who have flights departing in the next 4 hours will be allowed to enter the terminal building.
  • Use of trolley is not allowed.
  • Only 1 check-in baggage up to 20 kgs and 1 cabin baggage will be allowed per passenger.
  • Travellers are required to print and paste a pre-filled baggage tag (included in booking) and affix it on the bags. Alternatively, they should mention the PNR number and name on paper and affix it on the bags.
  • Elderly, pregnant and ailing individuals are advised to avoid air travel. Additionally, individuals who have been tested COVID-19 positive or are staying in a containment zone should not travel.
  • No meal service, newspapers or magazines will be available on-board.
  • Travellers will be required to sign self-declaration forms. In case of a PNR having more than one passenger, the declaration would be deemed to be covering all the passengers mentioned in the PNR.

Flight Safety 

All domestic carriers are taking stringent precautions to ensure a safe flight for you. You are requested to cooperate with the authorities to enhance safety for yourself as well as your fellow-travellers.

Sanitised Environment

  • Sanitisation of all aircrafts after every flight and at the end of the day, as per the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) protocol.
  • Use of HEPA filters to filter out particles and airborne contaminants such as viruses and bacteria.
  • Adequate counters to facilitate easy baggage drop by the passengers.
  • No printed receipts at baggage drop counters. Passengers to receive electronic receipts via SMS.
  • Only digital payment accepted at ticketing and baggage counters.
  • Passengers provided with protection kits (3-layered surgical masks, face shield and sanitizer) near the boarding gates, for use throughout the journey.
  • Temperature screening of passengers at boarding. Symptomatic passengers are not permitted to board the aircraft.
  • Airplane lavatories cleaned/sanitised after every hour during the flight.
  • The buses used for boarding sanitised continuously.

Trained Staff

  • All staff to follow proper hygiene standards, and wear protective gear (masks and gloves) at all times.
  • All staff including the ground staff and crew to undergo regular health checks, and training on various protective/preventive measures.
  • ln case of COVID-19 related medical emergency on board, aircraft disinfection to be carried with special attention to the affected seats.

Safe Practices

  • Boarding commences 60 minutes before departure to allow time for safety processes.
  • Staggered sequential boarding in batches of 10 done to the extent possible.
  • Use of lavatory and non-essential movement in the aisle to be minimised.
  • No queuing allowed at the lavatory. Only one companion allowed for children and the elderly.
  • No meal services or on-board sale of food items to minimize physical contact. Water bottle made available in the galley area or on the seats.
  • Passengers not permitted to consume any eatables inside the aircraft during the flight (except on health grounds).
  • No newspapers/magazines made available in the aircraft.
  • Passengers required to complete web check-in prior to arriving at the airport. Airline to provide passengers with a facility to tele check-in.
  • Self-declaration by passengers during web/ tele check-in required for issuance of boarding pass.

Airport Protocols 

Stringent guidelines have been put in place by various airport authorities to ensure optimum safety for all travellers at all times. You are requested to cooperate with the authorities and play your part in enhancing safety for yourself and others.

Sanitised Environment

  • Hand sanitizers made available at multiple locations within the airport.
  • Usage-based sanitisation/disinfection of all passenger touchpoints conducted.
  • Sanitisation of baggage before entry into the terminal and upon arrival.
  • Mats/carpet soaked with bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite solution) placed at the entrance for disinfecting shoes.
  • Clear, transparent glass shields installed as a barrier between the passengers and airport staff at high-traffic touchpoints such as entry gates, check-in counters, security checkpoints etc.

Note for Delhi Airport: All commercial flights are currently operating from Terminal 3.
Note for Mumbai Airport: All commercial flights are currently operating from Terminal 2.

Safe Practices

  • Adequate disembarkation points for vehicles provided to avoid crowding.
  • Use of trolleys minimized/discouraged at the airport.
  • Social distancing markings at a minimum distance of 1 meter and separated seating in the forecourt areas ensured. Select chairs marked ‘Not for Use’ to ensure adequate distancing.
  • Separate areas earmarked for isolation and COVID-19 testing of suspected passengers.
  • Separate entry gates designated for each airline to avoid overcrowding.
  • Proper disposal of all biohazard materials ensured through special bins earmarked for used masks, tissues, gloves etc.
  • No newspapers, magazines or non-essential loose items provided in the terminal building or lounges.

Air India has updated its waiver policy for domestic and international flights.

Air India Latest News: All Air India tickets irrespective of their date of purchase will be considered valid till December 31, 2021, Air India has announced in its new waiver policy. This is irrespective of their current validity and ticket type i.e. the Value of the ticket will be fully protected. Passengers holding Air India Documents (098) and have/had their flights cancelled or were not allowed to travel on the flight, owing to changed entry restrictions due to COVID-19 from 15 March 20 onwards till 24 Aug 2020 can avail this option. Also, the booking must be done before 31st December 2021 and the journey to be completed latest by 31st December 2021.


The airline will also allow one free change. Flyers can change the date/flight/route) without paying any extra money. For date and flight change, no Change fee will be collected irrespective of booking code in the same cabin — for travel till August 24. 


After August 24, however, if the same RBD (reservation booking designator) is available on the same route but the fare is higher, the fare difference will be waived. Applicable fare difference will be charged in case of fare in other RBD (other than lower or same RBD) is higher.


Passenger desiring a change in the routing of the ticket will be allowed to adjust the value of the existing ticket against the new fare. Ticket will have to be reissued along with the difference of fare, if applicable. No re-issuance charges will be levied for such cases. However, no differential fare refund will be permitted in case new ticket fare is lower than the existing ticket fare, it said.

Source: India.com (22nd Jun 2020)