Passenger boards aircraft with month-old boarding pass

In a security breach, a passenger was allowed to board an aircraft of a private airline at the IGI airport here on the basis of a month-old boarding pass.

In a security breach, a passenger was allowed to board an aircraft of a private airline at the IGI airport here on the basis of a month-old boarding pass.

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The incident took place on February 10, when a passenger went past the security check, manned by CISF personnel, at the Terminal-3 of the IGI airport and was allowed to board a Kolkata-bound Kingfisher flight.

It was only when the passenger was inside the aircraft, it was found that another traveller was occupying the seat allotted to him.

On closer inspection, it was found that he was carrying a computerised web check-in boarding pass dated January 10 which went undetected till the passenger had boarded the aircraft.

When contacted, a Kingfisher spokesperson said the airline was carrying out a detailed investigation into the matter.

On preliminary inquiry, it was revealed that the passenger was accepted for travel on February 10 as he held a distinct PNR number in his name which clearly indicated a valid reservation for that particular day and flight number, a Kingfisher statement said.

Moreover, he was allowed to board the flight only after confirming his eligibility for travel and properly verifying his identity prior to travel.

Meanwhile, the CISF which is responsible for airport security, said they were probing the matter.