United Kingdom
United States
Asia Pacific
IndiGo fires ground staff for security lapse
Thursday, 15 May, 2016
0
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.
TravelMole Editorial Team
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.
Walt Leger on New Orleans’ Resilience and Major Events Ahead
Cindy Mackin Shares Estes Park’s Winter Thrills
Mark Jaronski of Explore Georgia on FIFA World Cup 2026
Connecting Small Businesses to Global Tourism Markets: Nate Huff of Tourism Exchange
North Carolina’s Resilience: Wit Tuttell on Recovery and Tourism
Kittipong Prapattong’s Plan for Thailand’s Tourism Growth: Taxes, Visas, and Campaigns
James Jin: Didatravel’s Journey from China to Global Reach and the Impact of AI on Travel
Darien Schaefer on Pensacola’s Evolution: From Small Town to Global Destination
Florida Tourism’s Next Frontier: Dana Young on Expanding Beyond the Classics
Patrick Harrison on Tampa Bay Tourism’s Resilience and Marketing Strategy
Bubba O’Keefe on Clarksdale’s Vibrant Music Scene
Commemorating Elvis and Embracing Tupelo’s Culture with Jennie Bradford Curlee
BA suspending all Heathrow to Abu Dhabi flights
Unexpected wave rocks cruise ship
Woman dies after going overboard in English Channel
Report: Cruise guest died after ship lashed in heavy storm
British teen in serious condition after paraglider collision