Security Beefed Up At Andhra Pradesh Airports
The Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Kurnool, Kadapa and Puttaparthi airports are operating domestic flights.
Vijayawada:Amidst an escalation in tensions between India and Pakistan, the Airports Authority of India has stepped up security at all the airports in Andhra Pradesh as per a circular issued by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.
AP mainly has two international airports, in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam, with several airlines operating flights overseas. The Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Kurnool, Kadapa and Puttaparthi airports are operating domestic flights.
As per directions from BCAS, airport authorities have started restricting the entry of visitors, frisking all the air passengers thoroughly. They are also carrying out a secondary ladder point check before allowing them to board the flight. The airlines have asked passengers to arrive at the airports three hours in advance so that the check-in closes 75 minutes before flight departure.
Airport authorities say instructions have been issued to the security personnel to check the identity cards of passengers.
Vijayawada airport director Lakshmi Kanth Reddy said, “We are carrying out a double check on all passengers before allowing them to board the flight of their destinations and also asking them to be vigilant of their surroundings to keep a tab on any suspicious elements.”
“We are also keeping a close check on the credentials of mainly the operators of chartered aircrafts landing in the airport carrying the passengers to ensure safety,” he said.
The airport operates arrival/departure of 25 flights carrying nearly 5,000 passengers per day from various airports. The authorities say the scheduled flights would operate.
At the Visakhapatnam airport, the authorities are following the same norms of double- checking of passengers by following the SOPs. As the Air Traffic Control is under the control of the Indian Navy, it will keep a check on giving permission for landing of chartered flights.
Airport director Raja Reddy said, “We have stepped up vigil to frisk passengers and are adhering to all safety norms.” The airport operates 28 arrivals / departures, and handles over 8,000 passengers per day.
Tirupati airport director Bhoomi Nathan said, “We have completely stopped the entry of visitors into the airport and taken up extra safety measures as per norms.” Similarly, in other airports also, security and safety are being accorded top priority for both passengers and infrastructure in operating the aircrafts.
