Srinagar airport shifting lands in trouble

Srinagar: Fresh controversy has surrounded the operation of commercial flights from the Awantipora Airbase—25 kms from here.
While the airliners’ security has brought a central security agency and the Airports Authority of India at loggerheads with each other, at least three commercial airlines have been asked not to operate till further orders.
The controversy erupted a day after it was decided that the passenger security and baggage check would take place at the Srinagar International Airport only following which the passengers shall be transported in specific buses for boarding at the Awantipora aerodrome.
Sources said a team of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), manning the airliners’ security, today held a meeting with the Srinagar-based officials of the Airports Authority of India, seeking security check at both the Srinagar and Awantipora aerodromes “to avoid any trouble.” But, they said, the Airports Authority of India turned down the suggestion on the ground that there was no fun of going for the security check at two places.
Sources said the BCAS officials asserted that they can’t “take a chance” as there was no guarantee that there won’t be a “security breach” on way
from the Srinagar International Airport to the Awantipora airstrip.
01/09/10 Faheem Aslam/Greater Kashmir

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Categories: airports Sep 2010