Islamabad, Sep 3 (IANS): Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has amended its standard operating procedures (SOPs) imposed to help curb the spread of Covid-19 for air passengers from September 2 to October 31.

The authority on Wednesday directed all scheduled and chartered airline operators, ground handling agents and private operators to ensure strict compliance with the revised SOPs, reports Dawn news.

Earlier, the CAA had issued SOPs for chartered and private flight operations between August 26 and October 31, deferring social distancing on domestic flights.

However, under the fresh SOPs issued on September 1, social distancing, gap of at least one adjacent seat between passengers, has been made non-compulsory.

Under the new SOPs, the aircraft operations will be subject to full compliance with CAA instructions regarding aircraft disinfection as well as passenger and crew protection measures.

No person, except the passenger and airport staff, will be allowed to proceed beyond the parking area and the drivers will have to drop passengers in front of domestic departures.

The aircraft will be disinfected in accordance with the procedures prescribed by the CAA at each station before the passengers board.

Meanwhile, food and beverages will be served on flights with proper packaging and precautions while the cabin crew must use alcohol-based disinfection wipes to clean and disinfect their hands or use sanitiser or soap after touching or disposing of waste, Dawn news reported.

Passengers will be disembarked row-wise in an orderly manner while ensuring social distancing.

Data of all passengers and flight crew with their mobile numbers will be kept for record and further follow up.