IndiGo fires ground staff for security lapse
Thursday, 15 May, 2016
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IndiGo airlines said it has fired two ground staff officers and suspended three more after uncovering a security breach last month.
The airline found officers at Srinigar Airport allowed a senior airports official to travel on a boarding pass which was issued to another person.
Chief security officer of the Airport Authority of India Tilak Raj flew from Srinagar to New Delhi using the boarding pass of another AAI official, Vimal Kumar.
"As per the internal investigation conducted by IndiGo, it was observed that Tilak Raj flew from Srinagar to New Delhi on April 1 using a boarding pass in the name of Vimal Kumar, an AAI official at the Srinagar airport," a statement said.
"This passenger was observed breaching security protocols multiple times at Srinagar airport," it said.
The investigation found Kumar had ordered two colleagues who were based in Srinagar to collect his boarding pass on his behalf.
"Following protocol, the airline staff asked the two AAI officials to present a photo identity card. The staff learned that the two AAI officials were at the airport to collect the boarding pass for their senior," the statement said.
"Based on working relations with AAI officials, the staff agreed to issue the boarding pass, but categorical remarks were inserted in the system against this request. After the boarding of 6E-436 flight, three persons reported at the boarding gate at the last minute. All three persons were informed by the boarding gate staff that boarding is closed for this flight."
"This resulted in an argument between the boarding staff and the three persons, one of them being Tilak Raj. The three persons dismissed the instructions given by the boarding gate staff and walked towards the aerobridge to board the aircraft."
In addition to the sackings of assistant station manager Mohammad Nadeem and security officer Farhat Quraishi, three ground staff were suspended for one week.
Citing a serious lapse in security protocol at India’s most heavily guarded airport, senior superintendent of police Manzoor Ahmad Dalal said authorities are still to determine if charges will be brought against the AAI officials.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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