Airport prepares for flight operations

Bhubaneswar: The Biju Patnaik International Airport authorities have started preparations to resume operations, and will maintain social distancing and other safety norms while handling passengers at the arrival, departure and waiting lounges.
The airport has stopped operations since the start of the national lockdown on March 24. Barring flights and helicopters operating from here as part of relief work, cargo transportation and emergency services like carrying officials of the state government to different districts, no other flight is operating.
Airport director V V Rao said they are readying the airport in view of the possibility of resumption of domestic flights. “We are keeping all safety issues as far as tackling the spread of corona is concerned. But the government will take a call on restarting operations,” said the director. He said they have started demarcating space for passengers who will be standing in queue to enter through the departure lounge.
“We have planned to ensure no-touch check at the entry. The personnel of Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) have been asked not to touch the tickets while allowing passengers in. A sanitized table will be kept near the entrance where the passengers will keep the tickets for the CISF to view. The table will be sanitised at regular intervals,” said Rao. He further said instead of using metal detectors to frisk the passengers, body x-ray will be relied upon to ensure social distancing is strictly maintained.
The airport has also planned to view the printed tickets of the passengers through the see-through (glass) barrier at the entrance.