No meals on Vistara flights: Vistara announced on Thursday temporary changes in its in-flight products and services to minimize the touchpoints of human contact on board by up to 80 percent during the post-lockdown period.
“On Vistara’s domestic flights, the service alterations include reduction in meal choices and withdrawal of services such as onboard sales, welcome drink, hot meals and beverages in Premium Economy and Economy cabins, Starbucks coffee and Turkish towels,’’ said a press release issued by the airline.
“Water-pouring will be replaced with distribution of 200ml sealed water bottles on all flights, and cold refreshments will be served to customers in Premium Economy and Economy cabins, including to customers opting for Economy Lite fares,” it said adding that to further reduce the risk of spreading the virus by touch, the airline has implemented a temporary fleetwide removal of its inflight magazine and other reading material.
Services on international flights will also be reviewed accordingly to curtail contact with customers, the airline said.
Vistara said its cabin crew members were receiving appropriate training on minimizing their chances of contracting or spreading the coronavirus.
“They will undergo thermal screenings before the departure and arrival of flights, and will be quarantined/tested if any colleagues or passengers show symptoms of infection or test positive for COVID-19,” the airline stated. “The airline will also ensure a precautionary check-up with the Airport Medical Support team for any passenger showing symptoms of COVID-19,” said Vistara.
The cabin crew will wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as face masks and disposable gloves, at all times, it said. The airline also may make further changes in compliance with regulatory guidelines once they are finalized and notified.
India has been under lockdown since March 25 to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which has infected more than 35,000 people and killed 1,147 people in the country so far. All commercial passenger flights have been suspended for the lockdown period
