Zulfiqar Hasan, Chief of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) in India, has revealed that security agencies at Indian airports spend over 1,200 hours Daily Confiscating Prohibited items such as cigarette lighters, scissors, power banks, perfume sprays, and laptops from passengers’ baggage. These items, though innocuous, cause significant delays and inconvenience to both passengers and security personnel. Hasan emphasizes the need for passengers to follow prescribed protocols to build a robust safety culture and enhance aviation security.
Hasan highlights the prevalence of prohibited items in both hand baggage and checked-in luggage. In hand baggage, lighters constitute 26%, scissors 22%, knives 16%, and liquids and aerosols 14%. Similarly, in checked-in baggage, 44% of the discovered items are power banks, 19% lighters, 17% loose batteries, and 11% are laptops. Despite being banned in both types of baggage, lighters are still commonly found.
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The constant discovery of prohibited items diverts airport security personnel, leading to additional screening time for passengers. As a result, passengers are required to report earlier for their flights, causing inconvenience to both travellers and airlines. The cumulative impact of these diversions amounts to 1,250 hours daily, approximately 12 hours per airport.
Hasan stresses that adhering to laid-down protocols would enable security agencies to focus on examining more serious threats. With India’s aviation market experiencing rapid growth and an increasing number of first-time fliers, building a culture of aviation security is of utmost importance. Any security lapse could set the aviation industry back significantly, making it essential for all stakeholders to take aviation security seriously.
The revelation by Zulfiqar Hasan, the head of aviation safety regulator BCAS, about the time wasted on confiscating prohibited items at Indian airports sheds light on the need for passengers to comply with security regulations. The high prevalence of innocuous items in baggage necessitates strict adherence to protocols to ensure efficient and effective airport security screening. By cooperating with security measures, passengers can contribute to enhancing aviation safety and ensure a smooth and secure travel experience for all.
