Aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju will hold a full-fledged security review meeting along with heads of Air India, CISF, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and ministry officials on Thursday, following the recovery of a dummy stun grenade on board an Air India aircraft in Jeddah on Friday.
The decisions related to aviation safety and security will be applicable for all Indian carriers, said a senior aviation ministry official.
The Boeing 747 from which the stun grenade was recovered was one of the stand-by aircrafts for the use by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The stun grenade was apparently left behind in the aircraft after a security drill.
“Senior officials from the home ministry are also likely to join for the review meeting. The idea is not only to prevent such incidents in AI but also in any airline flying in India. Passengers should not get into such kind of risks,” the official said.
“The turnaround time – the time taken between landing and departing for another flight – of an aircraft is very critical for airlines. There is a rush to fly. But in this rush safety and security cannot be ignored.,” the official added.
Four employees, including AI security managers at Mumbai and Hyderabad airports, have already been suspended while action is being taken against ground handling officers and security supervisors.
{{/usCountry}}Four employees, including AI security managers at Mumbai and Hyderabad airports, have already been suspended while action is being taken against ground handling officers and security supervisors.
{{/usCountry}}