Aviation panel notice to Medina airport

New Delhi: The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has sought a report from Medina airport authorities on Air India’s stowaway case which saw a ground staffer, Habib Hussain, hiding himself in a plane’s toilet and flying to Jaipur last Friday.
Air India, under fire for this breach, has also asked its ground handling agency there to explain how their employee stayed back on the aircraft.
‘‘The incident happened at Medina airport and we’ll need a report from there apart from our own internal probe. Local laws of the land will apply. But, the matter concerns the security of an Indian carrier, we are pursuing it very seriously and will make changes if needed,’’ said a senior official. A specific pre-flight check standard operating procedure may be framed following this incident, said sources.
While all agencies are unanimous that AI cabin crew should have been more watchful and noticed the person hiding in toilet, Indian aviation authorities claimed they have adequate checks in place that such a thing does not happen here.
AI on Sunday defended the captain’s decision to fly. ‘‘The commander decided to continue the flight to its destination after satisfying himself that there was no security threat to aircraft or the passengers,’’ an AI statement said.
28/12/09 Economic Times

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Categories: Air India - International Dec 2009, Airports Dec 2009, Foreign Dec 2009, NACIL Dec 2009, Safety Dec 2009