Despite uncertainty, Kochi airport gears up to resume operations

Nedumbassery: The Cochin International Airport has begun preparations to resume operations even as uncertainty looms over whether flight services will be restarted once the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted.

Both terminals are being readied, as per the health department's safety precautions.

About 4000 people are expected to arrive at the Kochi airport during the initial days of resuming the flight services. But only one-third of the workforce will be present to carry out the passenger checks.

The domestic terminals have 52 counters for check-in, while international terminals have 80 counters. These generally witness long queues. As per the new directives, yellow stickers will be placed to ensure that passengers keep a one-metre distance while standing in queues.

As the flights have been asked to leave the middle seats vacant, the authorities are not expecting a huge rush during the initial days.

Thermal temperature checks will be continued for everyone, including the employees. Specific areas will be demarcated for checking the incoming passengers. Only after this, immigration checks and other procedures will be carried out.

Measures will be taken to disinfect the planes completely before continuing with the journey.

Authorities are also checking if it is feasible to use the travel documents, including the boarding pass, in the digital form.

'Touch-me-not' warnings will be fixed on all surfaces, where passengers are mostly like to touch, such as the hand railings.

Not more than four people will be allowed on lifts. Physical distancing will have to be maintained on elevators as well. A gap of three or four steps should be maintained between passengers and these will be marked as well.

All measures will be implemented in coordination with the health department.