Airlines will now be able to serve meals on board as the civil aviation ministry has changed the standard operating procedure for domestic and international flights.

As per the new SOP for domestic flights, airlines can now serve pre-packed meals, snacks, and beverages as per the policy of the airline depending on the flight time.

In the case of international flights, airlines may serve hot meals with limited beverages as per the standard practices.

The government has also allowed in-flight entertainment on domestic and international flights as per the existing regulations.

In addition, the government has asked airlines to ensure that the tray set-up, plates, cutlery are completely disposable with no re-use.

In all categories of seats, tea, coffee, and other beverages will be in disposable cans, containers, bottles, and glasses. There will be no pouring service and beverages will be served in single-use disposable units. The crew shall wear a fresh set of gloves for every meal, beverage service.

Under in-flight entertainment, the government has asked airlines to ensure that disposable earphones are used or they are cleaned and disinfected prior to boarding of passengers.

As per standard SOP for aircraft interior cleaning, all touchpoints are to be carefully cleaned and disinfected after the flight.

The government had banned the meal and beverage service and in-flight entertainment when flights resumed in the domestic segment from May 25 and in the international segment under Vande Bharat Mission since May 7.

India had suspended domestic flights from March 25 and international flights from March 23 in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.