New Delhi: The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has raised concerns over the security of airports and other aviation infrastructure in India following an audit at the Chennai airport and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security regulator.
These concerns raised several questions on the capability of aviation regulators to manage unprecedented growth registered by the sector. In an earlier audit, the ICAO had found discrepancies in the functioning of the aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The ICAO has also questioned the autonomy and authority of BCAS in being able to secure aviation infrastructure in the country.
BCAS was created in 1978 after the hijack of an Indian airlines flight in 1976. “ICAO rules make it compulsory for India to make BCAS an autonomous regulator, which it is not currently because it has been created under the Aircraft rules and not an act of parliament,” said a senior government official, who did not want to be identified.
The ICAO audit of Chennai airport in March found glaring security gaps. The problem areas included low-quality security equipment, improper barricading of airport periphery, cargo safety and documentation of records. Low-quality equipment used for security clearance of baggage at the airport has alsobeen flagged. These observations are set to reduce the rating of India’s security regulator, ranking it below many other nations that have amuch smaller aviation market compared to India.
16/12/18 Mihir Mishra/Economic Times
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These concerns raised several questions on the capability of aviation regulators to manage unprecedented growth registered by the sector. In an earlier audit, the ICAO had found discrepancies in the functioning of the aviation safety regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The ICAO has also questioned the autonomy and authority of BCAS in being able to secure aviation infrastructure in the country.
BCAS was created in 1978 after the hijack of an Indian airlines flight in 1976. “ICAO rules make it compulsory for India to make BCAS an autonomous regulator, which it is not currently because it has been created under the Aircraft rules and not an act of parliament,” said a senior government official, who did not want to be identified.
The ICAO audit of Chennai airport in March found glaring security gaps. The problem areas included low-quality security equipment, improper barricading of airport periphery, cargo safety and documentation of records. Low-quality equipment used for security clearance of baggage at the airport has alsobeen flagged. These observations are set to reduce the rating of India’s security regulator, ranking it below many other nations that have amuch smaller aviation market compared to India.
16/12/18 Mihir Mishra/Economic Times
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