(TAN): Vistara, a joint venture of Tata group and Singapore Airlines, continues to take strong steps in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The airline has announced intended temporary changes to its inflight products and services on domestic and international flights to ensure health and safety of passengers and its staff upon resumption of services, when allowed by the authorities.
In line with social distancing norms, the airline aims to introduce new operating procedures to minimise touchpoints of human contact on board by up to 80%. The airline may make further changes in compliance with regulatory guidelines once they are finalised and notified.
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Vistara intends to continue serving food and beverages in all cabins while reducing the cabin crew’s time spent on aisle and interaction with customers. 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.
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.
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.
Vistara’s cabin crew are receiving appropriate training on minimising 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 cabin crew will wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face masks and disposable gloves at all times.
Vistara shall implement social distancing across all possible passenger touchpoints and encourage the usage of self-service facilities such as web check-in and airport check-in kiosks.
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Vistara maintains the highest standards in hygiene, including disinfectant cleaning of all aircraft at the turn-around of every single flight and deep cleaning of all aircraft every 24 hours with higher concentration of approved disinfectant cleaners. Vistara will equip all its aircraft with surgical masks, gloves, sanitizer wipes and contact-less infrared thermometers. The airline will also ensure a precautionary check-up with the Airport Medical Support team for any passenger showing symptoms of COVID-19.
