Air India crew on repatriation flights to wear PPE suits

Air India crew members on board the repatriation fights from UAE to India will don full protective gear, including PPE, to reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus, Khaleej Times has learnt.

"Cabin crew would be wearing Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), which include medical protective masks, medical rubber gloves, goggles / face shield, disposable medical caps, disposable protective clothing," an Air India official told Khaleej Times.

There will be four crew members and two pilots onboard the first two flights that will take off from Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Thursday.

The pilots and crew underwent training on donning and doffing PPEs and on health and safety protocols to be followed while dealing with the passengers.

Doctors and nurses of a government medical college hospital imparted training ahead of their departure from Kochi. The crew also received training on infection control practices to be followed inflight and also the management of anticipated health emergencies during the flight, the medical college authorities told the local media.

India will begin the world's largest ever repatriation mission from May 7, which is expected to bring back 15,000 Indians stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first phase of the ambitious 'Vande Bharat Mission', Air India will operate 64 non-commercial flights to 12 countries including UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain to name a few.

In the first week, up to 2,000 Indians will fly out of UAE through 10 special flights. An Air India official said a one-way ticket to Kerala will cost around Dh750. The returning Indians will have to pay for their flights as well as for a mandatory 14-day institutionalised quarantine. Passengers onboard the Abu Dhabi-Kochi will depart by 4.15pm on Thursday through Terminal 3 of Abu Dhabi International Airport. Dubai passengers will depart to Kozhikode at 5pm.

No relatives or friends will be allowed at the departing lounge to see off passengers, Air India officials clarified. "Coming with family is strictly prohibited as it is against the social distancing norms. We are advising passengers to come alone. If a family member is dropping them off, they are expected not to step out of the car."

• India