Domestic airlines beefs up security

Mumbai: As terrorists hold out threat in major airports across the country on Babri Masjid demolition anniversary (December 6), all domestic airlines — Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher, SpiceJet, IndiGO, GoAir — have beefed up security and are taking special measures on Saturday.
It’s learnt that airlines have informed passengers not to carry any liquid medicines, electronic items (excluding laptops and cell phones) and advised them to board light.
Some carriers are also taking special measures in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore airports while issuing boarding passes. Airlines have been told to issue boarding passes only after seeing valid identity cards on Saturday, an airport official said.
When contacted, a Jet Airways spokesperson said, “Airline security is a confidential matter and we will comply with all rules.” Apart from the five-ring security check-ups by the airport authorities, all domestic airlines will carry out their own security drill once passengers board the plane.
“We are fully geared to tackle the situation as advised by the authorities. Unfortunately, given the sensitivity of the matter, we are unable to discuss security-related issues in detail,” a Kingfisher spokesperson said.
An email sent to SpiceJet, GoAir, IndiGo remained unanswered, though Air India have asked its passengers to check in five hours before departure instead of the usual three.
All vehicles going to the airport and internal buses taking passengers to aircraft will be thoroughly checked with metal detectors, said a member of the ground staff.
06/12/08 Mithun Roy/Economic Times

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Dec 2008, Safety Dec 2008