Saugat Biswas, Divisional Commissioner, Ladakh reviewed the necessary preparation for the resumption of commercial flights in Ladakh amidst lockdown period on May 23.

The commercial flights are scheduled to resume their operation from May 25.

Preparations regarding arrangements of every component covering security, passenger entry, baggage handling, check-in counters, sitting arrangement before boarding the plane for the out-bound passengers were reviewed. Also, de-boarding of inbound passengers, their baggage handling, screening as well as data entry of every passenger was discussed in detail.

APD, Airport Authority of India Leh, Sonam Norboo gave a detailed account of the arrangements at the airport from check-in, boarding, collection of baggage to exit point.

Check-in at the check-in counter would be app-based to generate boarding pass and the baggage tags by the passenger. Floor marking has been made for check-in counters and all other points. The chairs are marked to guide the passengers to sit while maintaining social distancing. As per the protocol, the passenger is allowed only one luggage and one cabin baggage, he added. The passengers would be required to use mask and gloves, and maintain social distancing while travelling.

Saugat Biswas instructed the security team to not to allow any passenger/person to enter the airport premises without a mask. Clear instruction was given to the medical team for a screening of every passenger on their arrival at Leh airport.

Strict compliance of social distancing must be maintained while collecting baggage from the conveyor belts. All the in-bound passengers would be required to follow fourteen days home quarantine on their arrival. Paid quarantine accommodation would be the solution in case of non-locals or tourists or who do not have any accommodation facility.

Also, he gave directions to appoint more people who would guide passengers during their arrival process.

Sachin Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Leh said that only two passengers would be allowed in a car or taxi while travelling between airport and home. He further added that a proper guideline would be issued regarding the movement of passengers travelling by air to Leh as well as Kargil district. 

SSP, Leh Sargun Shukla, and others also submitted their observations and suggestions.

Further on-spot exercise/drill would be conducted on May 24 prior to flight operation.

Motup Dorje, Chief Medical Officer, Leh; Mohd. Ramzan Giri, SP Traffic; Sonam Rigzin, Inspector AHJ; P. Angmo, Airport Manager Air India; Dorjey Rabstan, Station Manager, Spice Jet; Tariq Wani, Go Airlines, Airport Manager (I) Ltd and Mohd Ramzan Khan,Assistant Manager Vistara Airlines were also present.