Russia’s federal consumer rights protection authority is recommending that aircraft should not carry more than half their total passenger capacity during the restoration of air traffic.
The authority, Rospotrebnadzor, states that, during check-in, passengers should not be seated in “close proximity” to one another – including seats immediately in front or behind.
“When selling tickets [companies] should be guided by the principle of social distance when filling the cabin,” it adds.
“The number of passengers carried on an aircraft should not exceed 50% of the total number of seats.”
It has issued the recommendation alongside general transport sector requirements including mandatory temperature control of crew and passengers, provision of masks and gloves, and disinfection of equipment.
The authority says that, during flight, disposable catering equipment should be used and disinfection of handles, switches and other contact surfaces should be carried out on flights over 2h in duration.
Crews should also be transported to a “temporary residence” for pre-flight rest, or in the event of flight delays, to ensure that they are isolated from other citizens, and that crew transport vehicles are similarly cleansed.
