Mumbai airport will fine staffers who litter terminal

The offences listed in the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) compensation policy include fines for occupying passengers’ seats, sitting on conveyor belts, slowing check-in queue by haphazardly placed queue managers and littering the terminal

Most busy airports in the world have some things in common — heaps of baggage tags littered on desks near the boarding gates, zigzag check-in queues or retail outlets crowded with baggage trolleys.

The list also warned retail outlets of overcharging passengers and misusing baggage trolleys. The fines range between Rs100 and Rs500. (For representation)

Last month, the Mumbai airport operator decided to penalise airport staffers who are found littering the terminal or not maintaining it properly.

The offences listed in the Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) compensation policy include fines for occupying passengers’ seats, sitting on conveyor belts, slowing check-in queue by haphazardly placed queue managers and littering the terminal. The list also warned retail outlets of overcharging passengers and misusing baggage trolleys.

The fines range between Rs100 and Rs500.

A MIAL spokesperson confirmed the move.

“Terminal 2 has set a new benchmark in construction, architecture and design. All efforts are being put into upholding and maintaining it as the pride of Mumbai. Various rewards and recognition programmes have been introduced to encourage cleanliness and orderliness of the highest order in the terminal, the airside and the landside,” said the spokesperson.

“Accordingly, measures and procedures have been chalked to discourage uncomplimentary activities. We are supportive of the government’s Swacch Bharat Abhiyaan campaign,” the spokesperson added.

But, airport sources said fines are yet to be imposed.

“We want to give airport staffers some time to get used to the circular. But if the problem still persists, we will start slapping fines on employees,” said an airport official, requesting anonymity.

Many airports already impose fines on airlines, catering companies and oil distributing firms for littering airfield, said officials.

“Litter on the airfield is directly linked to passengers’ safety. Litter attracts insects, leading to increased bird activity,” said a former official with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), adding that oil spills near the tarmac are equally dangerous.