Iran's airline companies shall observe health precautions, although it is not certain when flights can resume, said Iran Civil Aviation Organization spokesman.

Reza Jafarzadeh has discussed current domestic flights situation during coronavirus spread in an interview with Trend.

"The number of flights has been limited since February due to the Health Ministry's protocols to prevent coronavirus spread," Jafarzadeh said. "International flights are currently banned in other countries, so we should wait when they resume their flights; meanwhile, it's important that people follow the protocols so that the flights can be resumed as in the pre-coronavirus situation."

"There are currently limitations for visiting religious and tourist sites, but the flights limitations will be annulled when travel restrictions are lifted," the spokesperson added. "Other countries also take measures to lift the restrictions, so gradually they will resume their flights to Iran."

"From the start of the coronavirus spread til now, around 90 percent of domestic flights have been canceled. Total of 750 flights used to operate daily during normal season, and this number would have increased up to 1,000 in high seasons, but now travels have dropped sharply," Jafarzadeh said.

"The screening and checking the passengers' temperature is being done at the airport terminals so passengers with coronavirus symptoms are prevented to enter. The Health Ministry considers fever as symptom of coronavirus, so it is very important to conduct checks at the entrances of airports," the spokesperson said.

"Iran's Civil Aviation Organization has asked the airlines to provide sanitary packages including mask and hand sanitizer to crew and passengers," he said. "It is obligatory for passengers of foreign flights to sign health declaration, so if there is a suspected case, the individual will be quarantined or sent to border doctor for special procedure."

"All the airline companies and related organizations are obliged to follow Health Ministry's protocols," he said. "However, there is no specific date for resuming normal flight conditions, as the number of flights depends on passengers and lifting limitations," Jafarzadeh added.

"I have not received any reports over possible downsize of airlines' crews, but Iran's airline companies have faced heavy losses like other airline companies in the world. The International Air Transport has also announced many airlines have been bankrupt," he said adding that Iranian airline companies have tried to avoid cutting their staff during this time.

"Total of $570 million advances has been assigned to Iran's airline companies that have faced losses during coronavirus that will be paid to these companies by the end of the month, according to the government. The suggested amount was more than $740 million, but it was not approved," the official said.

"The list of airline companies that are qualified to receive the advances has been sent to the Ministry of Road and Urban Development for approval," he added.

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