NEW DELHI: A few Indian carriers, such as Air India, Akasa Air, and IndiGo, have released advisories requesting passengers to reach airports at least three hours before flight time, after a security upgradation across the country prompted by Pakistan's sustained missile and drone attacks.
Although there is no formal ban on passenger entry, the Union government has ordered increased screening and monitoring at all airports.
Air India, in a public announcement, said, "As per an order of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on improved measures at airports, passengers throughout India are informed to report to their respective airports at least three hours in advance of scheduled departure to facilitate hassle-free check-in and boarding. Check-in begins 75 minutes prior to departure."
Akasa Air repeated the same in its travel advisory, attributing it to heightened security measures and asking passengers to plan for a "smooth check-in and boarding experience." IndiGo, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stated, "In these unprecedented times, increased security measures are undertaken at all airports. We request that you to please provide some additional time for your travel to allow for security checks and formalities. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding."
The advisories come on the heels of a directive to the BCAS, which has ordered secondary security screening for every passenger prior to boarding. Every traveler must travel with government-issued photo ID and should expect possible delays when going through security.
To intensify vigilance, visitor entry into terminal structures has been prohibited with immediate effect, and Air Marshals deployment has been intensified as necessary.
The increased vigilance follows as India's air defence systems intercepted and destroyed several Pakistani missiles and drones targeting cities all over Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Rajasthan last Thursday night. The indiscriminate attacks escalated fears of passenger security and air travel safety.
As per reports from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, 24 airports remained closed till May 10 as a result of the current conflict. Hundreds of flights were cancelled or diverted, totally disrupting the domestic and international travel schedules.
Flight tracking statistics from Flightradar24 showed that Pakistan and India's western corridor, from Kashmir to Gujarat, was almost devoid of civilian air traffic on Thursday. In response, most international airlines diverted flights from the tense airspace, as both nations are still on high alert.
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