Seven-tier security in place at city airport, entry of visitors banned

While passengers are allowed inside after a thorough check, entry of visitors to the airport has been banned, said officials. 

Domestic passengers from Chennai were asked to reach the airport at least one and a half hours before the scheduled departure of their flights and international passengers were told to report at least three and a half hours in advance. 

Passengers were also told to avoid carrying liquid items, jams, halwa and pickles. The security measures will be in place until further orders are received from Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS). All the CISF officials and police personnel working in the airport, including those who went on leave, were asked to return to duty.

Following the situation, BCAS issued the alert and marked it to senior police officers of all States, in-charges of security at all airlines and airports, and officers of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). 

The BCAS has suggested enhanced screening of passengers, staff, and hand baggage and strengthening of anti-terrorism/anti-sabotage measures and placement of quick response teams (QRTs) at all airports.

No vehicle should be parked in front of the terminal building and there should be intensive checking of vehicles entering car parking area, according to the alert notification. Another measure is — strict on ground monitoring of regulatory guidelines for operations of non-conventional aerial platform like microlight aircraft, aero models, paragliders, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), drones, power hang gliders and hot air balloons.

According to the notification, QRT and perimeter patrolling has to be strengthened too. QRTs are part of the CISF only, which is in-charge of security at various airports across the country.

Regarding catering, the alert notification said, “Inspection by the chief security officer of the airline concerned from the pre-setting stage to vehicle check and entry into airside. Airport Security Unit/Aviation Security Group to ensure thorough check of the vehicle through under view mirror, cabin search and checking of the driver and attendant to make sure their ID matching of signatures.”

The circulation had directed strict monitoring of non-scheduled flight operations including air ambulance.

In view of the intelligence input in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack and subsequent developments, it is important to enhance the existing security at all the civil aviation installations like airports, airstrips, airfields, air force stations, helipads, flying schools, aviation training institutes, etc in the country to make sure that no untoward incident takes place, sources said.