Why Is Air India Getting Increased Security at Delhi IGI Airport Till November 30?

Delhi: Passengers flying on Air India flights from airports in Delhi and Punjab will face extra security checks due to heightened security concerns. Additionally, the issuance of visitor entry tickets at the Delhi airport has been temporarily stopped until November 30. This means that visitors won't be allowed in the terminal building at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) during this period.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) issued a circular regarding these measures. For Air India flights, there will be an additional security check called the Secondary Ladder Point Check, which involves examining passengers and their hand baggage just before they board the plane. This is in addition to the usual security checks.

It's important to note that these measures will be in effect until November 30. However, there will be exceptions for government officials who require access for official purposes.

These measures have been put in place due to increased security concerns, including reports of a separatist group advising against travelling on Air India flights on November 19. Air India has not provided any comments on these security measures.

The oldest terminal at IGI Airport, known as T2, is under consideration for transformation into an international wing. It is expected to be operational by 2032 at the latest. CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar announced on Monday that Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) is exploring the possibility of converting T2 into an exclusively international terminal, similar to how it was originally set up when it first opened in 1986. This initiative is being viewed as a "short-term solution" to manage the increasing international passenger traffic at IGI Airport, as T3 is currently the primary terminal handling international flights.