The civil aviation ministry issued an order on Monday, May 25, allowing private jets and chartered flights to operate on domestic routes. Hence, the uber-rich can now jet across the nation in the luxury of their own private or chartered aircraft. As per the order, domestic air services by non- scheduled and private operators shall resume with effect from May 25. These include Fixed Wing, Helicopters and Microlight aircraft.
The order comes in the effect on the same day domestic flight operations return from its two-month-long hiatus. The private jets and aircraft will fly in Indian skies after two months as well, owing to nation-wide restrictions due to COVID-19. The civil aviation ministry issued guidelines for non-schedule operator permit (NSOP) stating that passengers should report at the airport, heliport or helipad at least 45 minutes before the departure time. The ministry also specified that there must be no serving of meals onboard except those who require on medical grounds. Passengers must wear face masks and crew be in full protective gear and suits.
General Guidelines
“Vulnerable persons, such as very elderly, pregnant ladies, passengers with health issues must avoid air travel. However, this will not apply to air ambulance services,” the order stated. “The charges of air travel (on chartered flights) to be as per mutually agreed terms between operators and the travellers.”
The guidelines also specified on the price cap on tickets. The ones issued by the Director-General of Civil Aviation last week for domestic passenger flights, will not be applicable on private jets chartered flights.
Apart from these, most of the guidelines issued by the aviation ministry are similar to the ones issued earlier. These are almost same as for passengers of operators of domestic commercial passenger flights. Also, displaying status on the Aarogya Setu app is necessary on terminals for private jets as well. The passenger must go to a counter provided by the airport where the app download facility is available.
