The Union Government has given permission to the resumption of on-board serving of meals and in-flight entertainment on domestic and international flights.
In an order, the Centre has said that airlines may serve pre-packed snacks and meals and pre-packed beverages as per the policy of the airlines depending on the duration of the flight.
Airlines which are operating at domestic level can now start providing pre packed snacks, meals and hot beverages. This means, low cost airlines can start selling these items again.
In addition to it, airlines which are operating at international level, can also start selling beverages including alcoholic drinks which were only limited to packed food and cold non-alcoholic beverages.
The order says, in all classes, tray set-up, plates and cutlery will be completely disposable with no re-use, cleaned and disinfected rotables will be used. Further, used disposable trays, crockeries and cutleries shall not be reused and used rotables should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before reuse.
Government also resumed Back-of-seat inflight entertainment screens provided that each screen must be disinfected and cleaned thoroughly. Disposable or disinfected headphones can now be given to passengers.
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MoCA issued new guidelines have an amended SOP that allow these changes. The order stated as, “In all classes, tea/coffee/alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage service will be in disposable cans/containers/bottles/ glasses. There will be no pouring service and beverages will be served in single use disposable units."