More security checks delay several flights at IGI airport

New Delhi, July 13: mestic flight schedules were in a tailspin today as authorities tightened security checks at the IGI airport here after the recent serial bomb blasts in Mumbai.

Further compounding the confusion was a malfunctioning X-ray machine for three hours at domestic terminal 1-B which is used by private airlines.

At least 10 flights of Jet Airways, Air Sahara, SpiceJet and Air Deccan were delayed for 20 minutes to three hours as security officials conducted secondary check on passengers at the ladder point and the baggage check.

This led to subsequent delays in arrivals and departures, said civil aviation secretary Ajay Prasad after reviewing the situation with officials of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

''We had some intelligence inputs that suggested that some airports could be targeted,'' he told reporters. ''Orders have been issued to put in place new measures so that all loopholes and shortcoming in the existing system can be rectified,'' he added.

He suggested that passengers check-in early at the airports across the country as more time may be required for security clearance.

Mr Prasad said officials will now depend more on automation rather than manual handling of passenger baggage. Airport officials urged passengers to cooperate and banned entry of visitors inside terminal buildings for some days. At the terminal 1-B the cramming of space was also due to repair work being carried out by GMR Infrastructure which is revamping and modernising the Delhi airport.

At the relatively spacious terminal 1-A, however, which is used by Indian (Airlines) and Kingfisher, the delays were minor.

The government had yesterday decided to step up security at all airports across the country following the Mumbai blasts, the measures including putting in place explosive detection equipment and strict access.

The airports have been on a high alert since Tuesday night and quick reaction teams of paramilitary forces have been deployed at major airports. The strength of CISF personnel on duty has also been increased.

The level of security varies at different airports, depending on the sensitivity attached.

UNI