Igi Airport Visitor Policy: Who Can Enter?

As of November 2023, the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi has banned the issuance of temporary airport entry passes and entry of visitors to the terminal building until November 30. This decision was made by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) as a precautionary measure following continuous threat messages regarding civil aviation installations across India. Additional checks have also been put in place for Air India passengers at the Delhi airport, with a Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC) protocol mandating checks on passengers and their hand luggage just before boarding.

Visitor entry passes banned at Indira Gandhi International Airport

The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi has banned visitor entry passes until November 30, 2023. The regulatory authority for civil aviation in India, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), made the decision to stop the sale of visitor entry passes and the issuance of temporary airport entry passes. This means that visitors will not be allowed to enter the terminal building of the IGI airport during this period.

The BCAS order was implemented as a precautionary measure following continuous threat messages shared by central agencies. These threats specifically targeted "civil aviation installations over all India airport [s], airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, and aviation training schools." The founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, released a video threatening passengers of Air India flights, asking people not to travel on Air India flights on November 19, 2023.

As a result of these threats, India has requested that Canada enhance security for Air India flights. India has also urged Canada to take action against Pannun for issuing the threat. In addition to the visitor entry pass ban, the BCAS has mandated a Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC) for all Air India flights at the IGI airport and airports in Punjab. The SLPC protocol involves checking passengers and their hand luggage just before they board the aircraft, in addition to the primary security checks.

The ban on visitor entry passes at the IGI airport is expected to remain in place until November 30, 2023, and there will be exceptions made for government functionaries involved in operational work. This decision prioritises the safety and security of passengers and staff at the airport, ensuring that necessary precautions are taken to address the threats.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security's role

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) plays a crucial role in maintaining security and safety at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI Airport) in Delhi, India. The BCAS is responsible for laying down standards and measures to ensure the security of civil flights at both international and domestic airports across the country. Here is a detailed overview of the BCAS's role:

Formulation and Implementation of Aviation Security Standards:

The BCAS is tasked with establishing Aviation Security Standards in accordance with Annex 17 of the Chicago Convention of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). These standards provide a framework for airport operators, airline operators, and their security agencies to implement effective security measures, known as AVSEC measures. By setting these standards, the BCAS ensures that security protocols are uniformly applied and maintained at all major airports in India.

Monitoring and Surveillance:

The Bureau actively monitors the implementation of security rules and regulations at IGI Airport and other airports in India. This includes conducting surveys to assess security needs and identify areas for improvement. The BCAS also performs surprise or dummy checks to test the professional efficiency and alertness of security staff. These unannounced inspections help ensure that security personnel are consistently vigilant and proficient in their duties.

Training and Competency Assurance:

The BCAS is responsible for ensuring that individuals responsible for implementing security controls are appropriately trained and competent. This involves setting training standards, curriculums, and certification processes for security personnel. By doing so, the BCAS helps to maintain a highly skilled and capable security workforce at IGI Airport and other airports nationwide.

Planning and Coordination:

The Bureau plays a pivotal role in planning and coordinating aviation security matters. This includes facilitating inter-agency collaboration and information sharing between different security agencies and airport authorities. Effective coordination helps ensure a unified and comprehensive security approach, enabling a swift and efficient response to potential threats.

Mock Exercises and Contingency Planning:

The BCAS conducts mock exercises to test the efficacy of contingency plans and assess the operational preparedness of various agencies involved in aviation security. These exercises simulate emergency scenarios, such as security breaches or natural disasters, allowing security personnel to practice their response capabilities and identify areas for improvement.

Regulatory Compliance:

The BCAS works closely with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulatory body responsible for civil aviation safety in India. The DGCA enforces civil air regulations, air safety standards, and airworthiness standards. By collaborating with the DGCA, the BCAS helps ensure that IGI Airport and other airports in India adhere to the highest safety and security standards, complying with national and international regulations.

In summary, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has a comprehensive role in maintaining aviation security at IGI Airport and across India. Through standard-setting, monitoring, training, and coordination, the BCAS strives to create a secure environment for passengers, staff, and visitors at airports, contributing to the overall safety and efficiency of the country's civil aviation sector.

Visitors unable to enter terminal buildings

As of November 2023, visitors are not allowed to enter the terminal buildings at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has stopped the sale of visitor entry passes and banned entry to the terminal buildings until November 30, 2023. This decision was made due to increased threat perception and continuous threat messages shared by central agencies regarding civil aviation installations across India.

The BCAS order states that the issue of Temporary Airport Entry Passes (TAEPs) and the entry of visitors to the terminal building will be prohibited during this period. However, there will be some relaxation for temporary airport entry passes for government functionaries involved in operational work.

The additional security measures implemented by the BCAS include a 100% Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC) for all Air India flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport and airports in Punjab. The SLPC protocol involves checking passengers and their hand luggage just before they board the aircraft, in addition to the primary security checks.

These measures were deemed necessary following a video released by Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the founder of Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), in which he threatened to blow up an Air India flight on November 19, 2023, coinciding with the ICC World Cup final. In the video, Pannun also warned Sikhs to avoid travelling on Air India flights after the specified date. India has requested that Canada enhance security for Air India flights and take action against Pannun for issuing the threat.

As a result of these security concerns, visitors are currently unable to enter the terminal buildings at Indira Gandhi International Airport, and travellers are subject to additional checks.

Additional checks for Air India passengers

As of November 2024, additional security checks are in place for Air India passengers at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in Delhi and airports in Punjab. These measures are in response to an increased threat perception and a recent threat by a separatist group, which asked people not to travel on Air India flights on November 19, 2023.

Passengers travelling on Air India flights from these airports will be subject to a secondary ladder-point check, which involves checking passengers and their hand baggage just before boarding the flight. This additional check is in place alongside the standard primary security checks.

In addition to the enhanced security measures, the issuance of visitor entry tickets has been halted at Indira Gandhi International Airport until November 30, 2024. This restriction applies to the terminal building, while temporary airport entry passes will be issued for operational purposes to government functionaries.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a circular regarding these security measures, which are expected to remain in place until November 30, 2024. These additional checks and restrictions aim to address the heightened security concerns and ensure the safety of Air India passengers and staff.

Secondary Ladder Point Check protocol

As of November 2023, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has implemented a ban on the sale of visitor entry passes at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, India. This ban is in response to increased threat perception and will be in place until November 30th.

During this time, the BCAS has mandated that the security agency at the airport must perform a Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC) for all Air India flights. The SLPC protocol is a mandatory check, conducted under the instructions of the BCAS, which requires airline staff to frisk passengers and their hand luggage after they have received security clearance from the airport security agency, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and just before passengers board the aircraft.

The SLPC protocol is an additional security measure implemented in response to specific threats against Air India and civil aviation in India. The protocol is designed to enhance the safety of passengers and staff by identifying any potential threats that may have been overlooked during the primary security checks.

• The SLPC protocol is activated when passengers have completed the primary security checks and received clearance from the airport security agency, the CISF.
• Airline staff members, who have been trained in the SLPC procedure, will then conduct a secondary check, which involves frisking passengers and inspecting their hand luggage.
• This process ensures that any potential threats, such as prohibited items or substances, are not carried on board the aircraft.
• The SLPC is conducted just before passengers board the aircraft, ensuring that there is minimal time between the secondary check and boarding.
• During the SLPC, airline staff should pay close attention to the items passengers are carrying and be vigilant for any unusual behaviour or signs of nervousness.
• Any suspicious items or behaviour should be immediately reported to the airport security agency for further investigation.
• The SLPC is mandatory for all Air India flights during the specified period and must be conducted for every passenger, regardless of their travel history or status.
• The protocol aims to provide an additional layer of security to identify any potential threats that may have been overlooked, ensuring the safety of all passengers and staff.
• It is important for airline staff to maintain a professional and discreet manner during the SLPC to ensure the comfort and privacy of passengers while conducting the secondary check.
• The SLPC protocol is subject to review and may be adapted based on future security assessments and the ongoing threat perception.

By implementing the SLPC protocol, the BCAS is taking proactive measures to enhance the security of civil aviation in India, ensuring that airports and airlines have the necessary tools and procedures to identify and mitigate potential threats. This protocol underscores the importance of vigilance and adaptability in maintaining the safety of passengers and staff.

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