Team Blitz India
AVIATION security watchdog BCAS has issued new guidelines that will allow exit of passengers from an aircraft through an airport departure gate in case there is a long delay in operating the flight after boarding.
The latest directive from BCAS comes against the backdrop of rising instances of congestion and flight delays, resulting in passengers getting stuck in aircraft after boarding for long hours.
BCAS Director General Zulfiquar Hasan has said the guidelines were issued to airlines and airport operators on March 30 and are now in force. The guidelines will help in ensuring ”less harassment” for passengers and they would not have to keep sitting inside an aircraft for long hours after boarding, he said.
In case of long flight delays and other emergencies after boarding, passengers will be permitted to exit through the departure gate of the airport concerned. ”Airport operators have to make arrangements for the infrastructure, including for screening, for implementing the guidelines,” Hasan said and added that a decision on deboarding the passengers will be taken by airlines and security agencies concerned.
He was speaking on the sidelines of the function to mark the 38th Raising Day of the BCAS. Previously, passengers were not allowed to return to the boarding area and were instead taken to the exits at the arrivals, from where they picked up their baggage and would then have to go through the check-in procedure afresh – including bag drop and security. This led to reluctance on part of airlines and airport operators to allow passengers to deboard, leading to instances where passengers ended up spending hours in the aircraft.
