Chefs wearing masks, sunglasses, hair nets, and gloves; an automated process using conveyor belts replaced with manual packaging of food; staff strength cut down by 90% to ensure social distancing; and a blaring alarm every 30 minutes reminding workers to sanitise their hands.
These are glimpses from an Air India catering facility, where the activity has increased with the civil aviation regulator allowing in-flight service of meals on board. When HT visited the facility near the Delhi airport earlier this week, preparations were underway for the resumption of these services after around five-and-a-half months of restrictions in view of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Even though flight services resumed on May 25 in a phased manner — about two months after they came to a halt — it was only on August 27 that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) allowed airlines to serve meals on board.
