August 2, 2023: Through better passenger awareness, India’s aviation sector can contribute more to ensuring the safety and well-being of all travellers. With a proactive approach to these challenges, passengers, crew members, and all stakeholders can foster a culture of safety.
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Confiscated items impair aviation security efforts
Cigarette lighters, scissors, knives, liquids and aerosols, power banks, loose batteries, and laptops are frequently confiscated at airports. When it comes to upholding stringent safety protocols for air travel, the continuous stream of confiscated items significantly burdens security agencies.
A closer look at the numbers
BCAS Director-General Zulfiqar Hasan shared striking statistics about the frequency with which items are confiscated. A staggering 80 percent of seemingly innocuous items are confiscated in hand baggage, including lighters, scissors, knives, and liquids and aerosols.
Every day, approximately 800,000 hand baggage items are screened at various Indian airports by nearly 500,000 passengers. 44 percent of the discovered items were power banks, 19 percent were lighters, 17 percent were loose batteries, and 11 percent were laptops.
The toll on aviation security
The substantial volume of confiscated items not only consumes valuable time during security screenings but also makes aviation security less efficient. Resources and attention are diverted from more critical safety measures because of the handling and processing of these items.
Importance of safety culture at airports
The urgent need to prioritize safety culture at airports becomes apparent in light of these challenges. A robust safety culture requires proactive measures, clear communication, and continuous training. All airport operations must be conducted in a collaborative manner among airport staff, airlines, and regulatory authorities to ensure safety.
Enhancing the awareness of passengers
It is crucial to maintain a strong safety culture so that passengers are aware of their surroundings. The proper education of travellers about restricted items and safety protocols can significantly reduce the number of confiscations. Implementing effective communication strategies and clear visual aids during pre-flight briefings can empower passengers to act responsibly and contribute to a more secure flight.
Building a robust in-flight safety culture
Aviation security relies heavily on in-flight safety. The crew is rigorously trained to handle emergencies and ensure passenger safety. To build a robust in-flight safety culture, open communication, incident reporting, and continuous learning are essential.
Therefore, enhancing aviation safety in India requires addressing the confiscated items issue at airports. In order to streamline security procedures and reduce unnecessary delays, airports and in-flight safety cultures must be established.
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