The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), inaugurated ‘Aviation Security Culture Week’ at its headquarters in New Delhi which will last till 5th August 2023. The theme of the ‘Aviation Security Culture Week’ is “See it, Say it, Secure it”.
Shri Zulfiqar Hasan, Director–General, BCAS, addressing the media said, “The idea behind this week is to make passengers aware about prohibited things they should not carry while travelling”.
“The govt. is committed to phase-wise introduce body scanners at all major airports in the next one and half years. Security is everyone’s responsibility, from screeners to cleaners, from industry leaders to frontline workers, and from taxi drivers to those working in airport retail outlets,” he added. He expressed confidence that passengers will have smooth travel during the upcoming festive season with an increase in the security capacity at various airports.
The daily average number of passengers travelling through 131 airports in India is approx. 10 Lakhs. At security checkpoints approximately 11,000 screeners are deployed, who screen around 5 lakhs departing passengers and 9 lakhs handbags every day.
Daily average of 10 lakhs passengers travelling through airports in India
To help the screeners, around 600 baggage X-ray machines and 1000 DFMDs are deployed at security checkpoints of Indian airports. To secure Indian skies, BCAS is committed to promoting a strong and effective aviation security culture.
During ‘Aviation Security Week’, BCAS has planned to undertake various activities in civil aviation including:
- Setting up of information booths and kiosks in the forecourt area and terminal buildings including cargo terminals.
- Announcement in aircraft
- Placing cards mentioning security awareness contents at different places in the airport environment.
- Insertion of the tagline in the ticket-related SMS/mails/WhatsApp from the aircraft operators.
- Insertion of the tagline in the ticket by OTAs.
- Short films for displaying at the departure hall.
- Pop-up regarding aviation security culture week on their websites.
- Organizing a quiz wherein passengers should be encouraged to participate
- Signature boards for signing by interested passengers.
- Dog Squad shows by CISF on a daily basis during the week.
Capt. Shri Devi Sharan, the senior aviator and instructor in Air India, famously known as the Captain of the flight IC-814, hijacked to Kandahar in 1999, was the chief guest at the event. Shri Anil Sharma, head of the cabin team and chief purser of IC-814, was the guest of honour at the event.
Security is everyone’s responsibility – Mr Zulfiquar Hasan, DG, BCAS
Both shared their experience of IC-814 and complemented BCAS for their continuous effort in ensuring no such incident takes place again.
Aviation security culture refers to the collective beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours of individuals within the aviation industry and among the air passengers related to security practices and procedures inherent in the daily operation of airports and flights.
Disclaimer: This is an official press release by Pib.