Secret Plans Unveiled: A Specialized Security Agency for Airports?

The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture has recently submitted a report to the Parliament, urging the government to consider establishing a specialized security agency exclusively dedicated to airports. This recommendation comes in response to the surging air passenger traffic and the need for bolstered security measures in the civil aviation sector. Additionally, the committee has proposed the formation of a special airline wing to handle police and court proceedings related to unruly passenger behavior cases. The report also emphasizes the enforcement of a zero-tolerance policy for such incidents.

Airports

With the ever-increasing number of air travelers, the panel highlighted the significance of enhancing security at airports. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) deploys 18.7 percent of its 353 units at airports. With the aviation industry poised for further growth, the committee recommends collaborating with the Ministry of Home Affairs to explore the feasibility of establishing a dedicated security agency for airports.

India currently boasts 148 operational airports across the country, and the latest official data reveals an 18.78 percent increase in domestic air passenger traffic, reaching approximately 1.25 crore passengers in June compared to the same period in the previous year.

The respective airport management funds the Cost of Deployment (CoD) of CISF personnel. To facilitate this process, the Ministry of Civil Aviation established the National Aviation Security Fee Trust (NASFT) in 2019, responsible for remitting the required funds for CISF deployment. However, the committee observed that there are outstanding CoD dues amounting to more than Rs 4,707 crore. Notably, the dues from the 16 joint venture airports account for over 64 percent of the total amount. The committee demands an explanation for the prolonged delays in settling these dues, expressing hope that they will promptly clear them to ensure the deployment of adequate manpower and state-of-the-art security equipment at airports for fool-proof safety.

Unruly Behaviour on Flights

The panel’s report also addresses the escalating instances of unruly behavior exhibited by passengers on flights. To tackle this issue, the committee proposed the establishment of a dedicated airline wing that will handle cases involving unruly passengers in collaboration with the police and courts. Presently, pilots and crew members often have to attend court hearings and visit police stations to prosecute disruptive passengers. The suggested airline wing will streamline the process, sparing victims of unruly passengers from the need to physically visit distant police stations and courts to seek legal remedies.

Furthermore, the Parliamentary panel urges the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy towards unruly behavior by passengers. The committee emphasized the importance of implementing and maintaining an effective ‘No Fly List’ to deter unruly behavior. The Parliamentary panel has advised DGCA to actively conduct periodic reviews of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and emergency procedure manuals developed by airline companies in handling such incidents.

In response to the committee’s recommendations, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA have expressed their commitment to address the issues promptly and ensure the safety and security of air travelers. As of July 15, this year, airline authorities have placed 37 passengers on the ‘No Fly List’ primarily for their non-compliance with mask-wearing mandates and their disobedience of crew member instructions.

The report by the Parliamentary panel comes as a significant step towards fortifying airport security and ensuring a seamless travel experience for passengers. As air travel continues to grow in popularity, these proposed measures hold the potential to enhance safety standards and curb instances of unruly behavior, making air travel a safer and more pleasant experience for all.