In a relief to both domestic and international airlines, the Bombay High Court on Monday allowed them to fill up middle seats, in compliance with the May 31 circular issued by the Civil Aviation, on the condition that passengers wear ‘wrap around’ gowns and that standard operating procedures (SOPs) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are followed.
A division bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and S P Tavade today passed the judgement, through video-conference, on a plea filed by Air India pilot Deven Kanani, who alleged that national carrier Air India had violated social distancing norms while evacuating Indians stranded abroad on special flights. The plea was submitted through advocate Abhilash Panickar.
