Watch | New rules for flyers in India

A video explaining the rules laid down by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for domestic air travel

Domestic flights will start operating in India on May 25. Airlines will operate 33% of their flights. But passengers will have to brace themselves for a completely new airport experience.

Before entering the airport

• Passengers should get to the airport two hours ahead of their flights. 
• They will have to wear masks at all times. It is mandatory for web check-in before reaching the airport.
• They will "compulsorily" undergo thermal screening before entering the airport.
• Passengers, except children under the age of 14, will have to show officials that they are marked as "safe" on the Aarogya Setu app or produce a self-declaration form.

Also read | With India all set to open domestic travel health ministry issues travel guidelines

In the airport

• Floor markers in the terminal will guide passengers on where to stand.
• This is to maintain physical distancing.
• Self check-in kiosks will allow passengers to print boarding passes. 
• For those who prefer traditional check-in, alternate counters, enclosed in glass, will be available.
• After airline staff enter passenger details, passes can be collected from a machine.
• Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag will be allowed.
• After completing security procedures, passengers can sit in marked seats while waiting to board. 
• Stamping of boarding passes too will be done away with.
• Passengers should collect a safety kit which includes a mask and sanitiser near the boarding gate. ​

In the aircraft

• Passengers are advised to minimise the use of toilets and avoid queuing.
• Only one person will be allowed to accompany children and elderly to the toilet.
• No meal services, newspapers and magazines will be available. 
• Only water bottles will be made available. Passengers will not be allowed to consume their own eatables either. ​
• On arrival
• Passengers will disembark sequentially and will undergo temperature screening.
• Health protocols as prescribed by the destination States/ UTs would have to be followed by arriving passengers.

Ticket pricing

• The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set a price range for seven categories of flights based on flight time.
• The lowest range is flights of less than 40 minutes and the highest is up to 210 minutes.
• The price range for the shortest journey is ₹2,000 - ₹6,000. 
• And for the longest journey is ₹6,500 - ₹18,600. ​

International flights 

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has said that commercial international flight operations could start as early as the middle of June.