Air India to have own security check at Tribhuvan International Airport

Kathmandu: The government has given permission to Air India (AI) to operate its own security checking at the tarmac of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA).
The government is currently working on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for such security checks by officials of a foreign airline at the country´s only international airport. Once the procedures are ready, AI will be allowed to basically second-screen passengers and luggage with portable x-ray machines in the sterilized zone of the tarmac. Currently, officials of the Indian airline are only allowed to carry out manual-frisking of passengers at the ladder of the airplane.
The decision to grant such permission was taken by then Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hisila Yami under a written request from the government of India despite stiff opposition by then secretary at the ministry, Lila Mani Poudel. Secretary Poudel was transferred to another ministry before Yami took the final decision.
Though such a practice is not new, aviation experts have opposed the permission on three grounds. First, it somehow undermines the sovereignty of the nation. Second, it may compromise the security sensitivity of other airlines since it provides "unrestricted mobility" to the security officials of IA. And third, this could prompt other international airlines to demand such permission also, thereby creating a logistical problem of space. Jet Airways has already applied for a similar facility.
08/08/09 Bimal Gautam & Kosh Raj Koirala/Republica, Nepal

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Categories: Airports Aug 2009, Foreign Aug 2009, NACIL Aug 2009