Ladder point checking to be introduced at airports

With terror threat on the aviation sector looming large, Government has decided to introduce checking of passengers at ladder-points in all functional airports across the country and enhance the strength of sky marshals on more flights.

These and other measures were reviewed at a meeting Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had with airport operators, airlines and all concerned agencies.

“The ladder-point checking (of passengers) will be introduced at all airports progressively,” Patel said, adding that security at all functional airports, big or small, was being “re-looked, reviewed and strengthened”.

He said the strength of the sky marshals would be enhanced and the number of domestic flights, on which they would be deployed, increased.

Among other measures was to strengthen security system on the perimeter of airports and introduce biometric access to airports, he said. “I would urge all those concerned, including the passengers, to cooperate in strengthening the security measures. Everyone should cooperate.” Asked whether security surcharge would be introduced to meet the additional costs, the Minister said this was not yet being considered. Security systems would be introduced at all airports “whatever it takes. We will put in place sophisticated equipments at the airports.”

Airports in major metro cities have been on high security alert in the wake of intelligence inputs that terrorists may attack them. PTI

About Devesh Agarwal

A electronics and automotive product management, marketing and branding expert, he was awarded a silver medal at the Lockheed Martin innovation competition 2010. He is ranked 6th on Mashable's list of aviation pros on Twitter and in addition to Bangalore Aviation, he has contributed to leading publications like Aviation Week, Conde Nast Traveller India, The Economic Times, and The Mint (a Wall Street Journal content partner). He remains a frequent flier and shares the good, the bad, and the ugly about the Indian aviation industry without fear or favour.

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