First person account: Smooth take-off from city as flights resume

I reached the brightly-lit Chennai airport at 3am, armed with a pair of fresh surgical gloves, mask and sanitiser. The airport was buzzing with activity - there were taxis, autos, private vehicles, and the security at the entrance looked straight out of a Hollywood films - army fatigue and the blue-coloured head gear with a face shield.

They checked my temperature with a remote device, checked my ID and e-ticket on my mobile through a transparent six feet tall shield with a lens that enlarged the images. Once inside I heaved a sigh of relief but there was a lot to be done. I had not been able to do the mandatory web-check-in the sudden rush of change of schedule. But the airline staff was more than warm in the early hours of the first day. Initially the software took some time to get started as there were some glitches due to the changed Covid-19 flying protocols. But it got sorted out without people in the long queue getting hassled or anxious. They seem to follow lot more patience and tolerance in these trying times. I was asked to fill in a simple health-form, despite my telling them that I had the Arogya Setu App on my mobile.

There was no physical frisking by the security personnel. While I was waiting for my cabin bag to roll out, I asked the paramilitary officer why he was not wearing gloves. He pointed out to a large sophisticated looking sanitizer-dispenser that liberally sprayed my hands with the sanitiser.

While getting into the passenger ferry bus where limited numbers were allowed due to social distancing norms, all passengers were handed over a plastic folder which contained a face-shield, a surgical mask, and a small bottle of sanitizer. On board aircraft, the air-hostesses were wearing a whitish disposable long aprons along with face-shields. People were extra disciplined following all the guidelines being given out by the aircraft crew. Most of the seats were occupied including the middle seats.

The flight took off on time and also landed on time at Delhi’s T-3, the international terminal. It was business as usual and coming out of the airport was smooth. One simply collected the baggage from the conveyor-belt, put it on trolley and walk out of the terminal with no intervention from anyone at all.

Strictly enforcing the rules on air travel, officials at the Chennai airport cancelled the tickets of four passengers after finding that they had cold. Including them, 120 had booked tickets to take the first flight to Delhi.

Earlier, the CISF personnel used to check the Photo ID of the passengers at the entrance of the domestic terminal and allow them inside. But now, the passengers have to show their ticket and ID proof to a high-definition camera, and the personnel standing six feet away would check them on a large monitor before allowing the passengers to enter.

All passengers were asked to maintain social distancing and wear masks. Before boarding, all passengers have to undergo a medical test.

Those landing in Chennai were checked by a medical team at the arrival. Their contact details and addresses were collected, and were stamped using indelible ink to show that they have undergone the medical test. During exit, the passengers should show e-Pass; those without it were not allowed to exit from the airport. Instead, they were guided to the two special counters where they could apply online for e-pass.

Airport officials said that 19 flights were scheduled to depart to Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Madurai and Coimbatore, while 16 flights were scheduled to land at the city airport. No flights were scheduled to arrive and depart from Kolkata and Mumbai.