Hyderabad, NFAPost: As the world moves towards restoring normalcy, resuming of connectivity between countries becomes integral in reviving the economy.
Giving a big boost in restarting international air connectivity, British Airways has resumed their London – Hyderabad flights from August 17. British Airways (BA 276), a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner wide-bodied aircraft, took off from the Hyderabad Airport to London Heathrow at around 7.50 in the morning.
This connection between London and Hyderabad is a part of the air transport bubble, an effort of the Government of India to re-start the international air connectivity.
Signs of recovery
The resumption of the London Heathrow – Hyderabad service gives a big boost to the air travel, which is now showing signs of recovery amidst the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak.
All the passengers were serviced through the fully-sanitized Interim International Departures Terminal (IIDT) of GMR Hyderabad International Airport, which has been kept ready for flight operations.
Mandatory screening and safety measures were in place during the flight’s handling to protect against the COVID-19 threat including thermal screening prior to terminal entry, mandatory social distancing enforced through special queuing arrangements at all passenger processing points.
Safety guidelines
British Airways would be operating the London Heathrow – Hyderabad servuce four times weekly – every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Any passenger can book a ticket from Hyderabad to London as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Govt. of India. All passengers will have to adhere to the COVID-19 safety guidelines.
A Hyderabad Airport spokesperson said they were happy on resuming connectivity to London. “We are happy to restart one of our important destinations under the international air transport bubbles arrangement. UK has always been a key destination for us. We are thankful to the Govt. of United Kingdom and Govt. of India for making this possible. The resumption of this connection between Hyderabad and London would help restore vital economic and social links between Telangana and UK, enabling much needed movement of people and goods,” the spokesperson explained.
British Airways, in a statement, concurred and stated, “Following months of uncertainty caused by the global lockdown, we are delighted to be able to once again provide a direct flight between Hyderabad and the UK. We know many of our customers in India have been waiting to be reunited with friends and family. We look forward to welcoming them back onboard.”
Commercial passengers
With an aim to revive the pandemic struck economy, during Unlock 3.0, the Government of India is building “Transport Bubbles” or “Air Travel Arrangements”, which are temporary arrangements between two countries aimed at restarting commercial passenger services when regular international flights are suspended as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hyderabad International Airport is already handling evacuations international flights both arrivals and departures under utmost safety precautionary measures in place.
In the new post-pandemic world, air travel has emerged as the safest and most preferred mode of travel, with minimum travel time and the promise of maximum safety.
Since the recommencement of domestic operations on May 25, GMR Hyderabad International Airport is providing a fully sanitized and touch-less boarding experience for passengers from the departures ramp till boarding gate for safe travel of passengers.
