Ever been stuck in flight? Passengers to be allowed to exit through airport departure gates during delays

Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the aviation security watchdog, has issued fresh guidelines that will allow passengers to exit from an aircraft via an airport departure gate if there is a significant delay in operating the flight after boarding.

The recent directive from BCAS addresses the increasing instances of congestion and flight delays, which often leave passengers stranded onboard aircraft after boarding for long hours.

On Monday, BCAS Director General Zulfiquar Hasan stated that the guidelines, issued to airlines and airport operators on March 30, are now in effect.

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He further mentioned that the guidelines would minimise inconvenience for passengers and they no longer have to remain seated inside an aircraft for long hours after boarding.

The passengers will be allowed to exit through the departure gate of the concerned gate in cases involving extended flight delays or emergencies after boarding.

“Airport operators have to make arrangements for the infrastructure, including for screening, for implementing the guidelines,” Hasan said. He also mentioned that the decision regarding the deboarding of passengers would be made by airlines and the relevant security agencies.

IndiGo fined

On January 17, BCAS fined IndiGo and Mumbai airport operator MIAL a total of Rs 1.80 crore due to passengers consuming food on the airport tarmac.

IndiGo was fined Rs 1.20 crore, while MIAL received a penalty of Rs 60 lakh.

After a significant delay, numerous passengers at the Mumbai airport rushed out of an IndiGo aircraft and sat on the tarmac. Some passengers were also seen having food there immediately after their Goa-Delhi flight landed on January 14.

Domestic air traffic is on the surge, with approximately 3,500 flights taking off every day.

Earlier, Hasan stated that congestion at airports is “unwelcome” and mentioned that the agency has devised optimum standards and tools to address the issue.

The aviation security watchdog will introduce smart security lanes as part of its initiatives to better the passenger experience at airports.

According to him, full-body scanners are anticipated to be operational at Bangalore airport this month. In due course, these scanners will be deployed at airports that have annual passenger traffic of more than 5 million.

(With PTI inputs)