A flight was even slightly delayed owing to the issue on Thursday
Air India had invited a team from Airbus to inspect these three A320 aircraft; Representational image. (Photo:PTI)
Thiruvananthapuram: The intensified security checks by customs officials against gold smuggling has led to a squabble between customs officials and Air India security personnel at the Thiruvananthapuram airport. A flight was even slightly delayed owing to the issue on Thursday.
While the customs officials alleged that despite their efforts to plug smuggling, unnecessary restrictions were being imposed on their movement. Meanwhile, airline sources said that they were only insisting on the mandatory security checks.
According to sources, the customs officials here had been carrying out checks in almost all international flights over the last few days after incidents of hiding gold inside the aircraft were detected in other airports in the state recently. Similar attempts through Thiruvananthapuram airport were even foiled earlier.
On Thursday, Air India security personnel insisted on frisking customs officials who were entering Air India flight (AI-264) on the Male -Thiruvananhapuram-Bangalore -Chennai route.
While Air India officials maintained that it was part of BCAS security norms, customs officials said that airline security officials had prescribed fresh parameters for customs officials' checking in flights which led to an argument.
By the time the issues were sorted out, the flight that was scheduled to leave by 2.05 p.m. got delayed by about ten minutes.
Airport sources said that such minor frictions between various agencies could affect the smooth functioning of the sensitive area and could even lead to Karippur -model clashes.
“The authorities should take immediate steps to sort out such tensions,” said an senior airline official. Meanwhile, airport director George Tharakan said that the issue had not come to his notice.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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