Question : Air India Personnel Affected by COVID-19

(a) the number of Air India personal tested COVID-19 Positive as a consequence of the Vande Bharat flights till 1st February 2020;

(b) the number of persons hospitalized as a result of serious complications due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
(c) whether there have been any fatalities among the Crew and the staff because of COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there would be a test on the return of the Crew earlier and if so, the details thereof including the reasons of discontinuation of post flight COVID-19 positive tests by the Air India management;

(e) whether this discontinuance of post flightCOVID-19 not pose a serious risk to the Crew of Air India flights and their families and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether arrangements have been made for the medical care of the crew if they test COVID-19 at an international destination during a layover or otherwise and if so, the details thereof?

The Minister of State (IC) in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Shri Hardeep Singh Puri)

(a) to (c): A total of 1995 personnel of Air India, including the crew deployed on Vande Bharat Mission tested positive for COVID-19 till 01.02.2021, out of which, 583 personnel were hospitalized. There have been no fatalities among the crew, however, 19 ground staff succumbed due to COVID -19 and other complications. ;

(d) and (e): The COVID-19 test for the crew is undertaken as per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Medical Department of Air India, which is based on the advisory/guidelines issued by the Government from time to time.

(f): Air India covers its crew for any medical emergencies (including COVID-19) on duty/layover.