2023-07-15 21:53:00
NEW DELHI: In a bid to streamline passenger flow at airports amid a post-Covid surge in air traffic, Union home minister Amit Shah on Saturday held a meeting with aviation officials to review the manpower and infra requirements there. The pandemic slowed down ambitious airport development plans and the revival in traffic since early last year sees long queues at many airports due to two factors — inadequate infra at many places (which comes under aviation ministry) and less than required number of CISF and immigration personnel (who come under home ministry).
While domestic air travel has surpassed 2019 levels, international inbound is expected to increase from this winter with foreign tourist numbers likely to return to pre-Covid levels. Among the most constrained airports are Mumbai (with immigration being a particularly sore area), Delhi and Bengaluru.
To review the situation, Amit Shah met aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia “to address requirements arising out of fast growing domestic and international aviation mobility in the country.” In a statement, the government said it has “embarked upon a series of steps towards expanding and enhancing the facilities and infrastructure at major airports. Directions (were) given to develop and provide standards for quick, safe, and convenient travel experience of travellers.” Union home Secretary and other top officials of aviation ministry, Intelligence Bureau, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Central Industrial Security Force and Airport Authority of India (AAI) attended the meeting.
International passengers arriving in Mumbai, for instance, routinely complain of long queues at immigration due to unmanned counters. The airport operator replies to their Tweets saying immigration is a “sovereign function” and that they may tag the home ministry. Last winter saw queues at Delhi airport but since this airport has space, additional gates and security check points were quickly created. Bangalore is also a pain point for flyers during peak hours in peak travel seasons.
While domestic air travel has surpassed 2019 levels, international inbound is expected to increase from this winter with foreign tourist numbers likely to return to pre-Covid levels. Among the most constrained airports are Mumbai (with immigration being a particularly sore area), Delhi and Bengaluru.
To review the situation, Amit Shah met aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia “to address requirements arising out of fast growing domestic and international aviation mobility in the country.” In a statement, the government said it has “embarked upon a series of steps towards expanding and enhancing the facilities and infrastructure at major airports. Directions (were) given to develop and provide standards for quick, safe, and convenient travel experience of travellers.” Union home Secretary and other top officials of aviation ministry, Intelligence Bureau, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Central Industrial Security Force and Airport Authority of India (AAI) attended the meeting.
International passengers arriving in Mumbai, for instance, routinely complain of long queues at immigration due to unmanned counters. The airport operator replies to their Tweets saying immigration is a “sovereign function” and that they may tag the home ministry. Last winter saw queues at Delhi airport but since this airport has space, additional gates and security check points were quickly created. Bangalore is also a pain point for flyers during peak hours in peak travel seasons.