Airline staffer caught taking bribe from flyer going abroad

NEW DELHI: The airport security force has caught an international airline employee taking bribe from a passenger flying abroad, who wanted to board an international

NEW DELHI: The airport security force has caught an international airline employee taking bribe from a passenger flying abroad, who wanted to board an international flight without a return ticket.

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Airline staff check international passengers on a tourist visa before boarding. They can board the plane only if they show the hotel details and return tickets.

Investigation revealed the passenger was guided by someone from Singapore, hinting at a bigger racket. The passenger was to travel to Doha, and then to Athens on Wednesday morning.

On Tuesday night, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) that handles security at the airport caught a Qatar Airways employee taking Rs 35,000 from a flyer. He had the authority to deny flyers permission to board the plane if they didn’t have the required documents.

“We have seized the airline staff member’s phone. He was deployed at check-in counter to check the flyers’ details. Whatsapp chats show he was in touch with several other airline employees and agents,” said a Delhi Police official.

The Delhi Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter. The CISF has raised security concerns as more airline employees could be involved in the racket.

Experts said flyers often travelled to Gulf countries on a tourist visa, and end up staying there. To check that flyers don’t provide incorrect details, airlines have deployed staff at the check-in counter.

“Our staff members saw the incident while monitoring the CCTV. The passenger was intercepted and his documents were cross-checked,” said a CISF official.