Relief flights: AI follows stringent norms, keeps premium cabin empty

Air India kept the first and business class sections on the Boeing 777 and the business class section in the Boeing 787 aircraft chartered to evacuate foreigners out of India as a precautionary measure against the contagious coronavirus. In addition, the middle-seat gap was also maintained in the economy class where the foreign nationals being evacuated were seated.

In addition, passengers boarded and deboarded these special charter flights from doors which were away from the premium classes on these two aircraft to ensure sterilisation of the plane. In the last few weeks, several foreign governments have chartered Air India aircraft to get their nationals home including the Canadian, Irish, German and French governments. In all, the carrier is undertaking 18 charter flights to these four countries. The aircraft mostly flew back empty.