New Delhi: India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation(DGCA), has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure for commercial airlines following a surge in Ebola cases in parts of Africa.
DGCA Shri Vir Vikram Yadav has issued the directive, which comes after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
Under the new guidelines, all airlines operating direct or transit flights connecting India with Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan must enforce strict screening and tracking protocols. Carriers are now required to ensure that all passengers and crew members originating from or transiting through these designated high-risk regions complete a mandatory health self-declaration form prior to disembarking. This documentation captures essential tracking data, including full travel history, potential exposure risks, and current physical symptoms.
Airlines are also mandated to broadcast specific health announcements during flights to aid in early detection. Passengers are instructed to immediately report symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, or unexplained bleeding to the cabin crew. Travelers are further advised that if any such symptoms develop within twenty-one days of arrival in India, they must notify airport health authorities and seek treatment at designated medical facilities.
For instances where a suspected case is identified mid-flight, the regulatory body has outlined clear isolation protocols. Airlines must relocate the symptomatic passenger to the rear of the aircraft and attempt to keep at least three rows in front and adjacent seats entirely vacant. A single dedicated crew member should be assigned to assist the passenger to limit contact. Carriers must also maintain an abundant on-board reserve of personal protective equipment, including triple-layer masks, disposable gloves, hand sanitizers, and bio-hazard disposal bags.
Upon landing, planes carrying suspected cases will be routed to isolated parking bays for immediate thermal screening of all occupants. The aircraft must then undergo comprehensive disinfection procedures before returning to service.
While Ministry of Health & Family Welfare officials have confirmed that no cases of Ebola have been detected in the country so far, the aviation regulator emphasized that these strict preventative measures are vital to safeguard public health and prevent cross-border transmission. Major domestic and international airlines operating affected routes have been instructed to implement the new protocols immediately.