The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has made new rules for airports and airlines in the country.
These rules will help passengers have a better experience. Now, if a flight is delayed after you’ve boarded, you can leave the plane and wait outside the departure gate.
This means you won’t have to stay inside the airplane for a long time. Before, many passengers had to wait a long time inside the plane, but now things will be better.
BCAS Director Zulfiqar Hasan explained that these new rules were given to airlines and airports on March 30.
They will work to make sure passengers don’t have to wait inside the plane for too long.
Airports need to prepare for these changes, like setting up screening areas. But passengers can only leave the plane if the airline and security allow it.
Why did they change the rules?
In January, there were reports of many flights being delayed. Some passengers even had to wait so long that they started eating on the airport ground.
In one case, passengers from an IndiGo flight in Mumbai came out and waited on the ground because the flight was very late. BCAS noticed this and fined IndiGo and the airport.
What else is new?
Besides letting passengers leave the plane during delays, there are other changes too:
1) Smart security cameras will be put in airports to make things easier for passengers.
2) Full-body scanners will be used at Bengaluru airport starting this month.
3) Other airports with more than 50 lakh passengers a year will also get these scanners.
4) BCAS also told seven airlines to make sure they deliver passengers’ bags on time after landing.
