NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JAN 22
The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) on Friday has announced that it is reducing the number of handbags per passenger to one. The move comes to reduce congestion and security threats at the airport. The rule is for all domestic flights in India.
As per BCAS AVSEC Circular, “No passenger should be permitted to carry more than one handbag other than those items already listed in the circular including lady’s bag. However, it has been seen that on average carries 02-03 Nos of handbags to the screening point. This has led to increased clearance time as well as delays, congestion in PESC points, and inconvenience to passengers. It is, therefore, felt that enforcement of the aforesaid Circulars must be ensured by all stakeholders/airlines.”
It further said that the airline may be made responsible and depute staff to guide pax, check and verify their handbag status, etc, before allowing the passenger for pre-embarkation security checks.
“All airlines may be directed suitably to inform pax and to display ‘one handbag rule’ on their tickets/boarding passes very conspicuously,” the order stated.
The order further stated that airport operators may be instructed to place hoarding/banner/board/standees displaying the contents of the ‘One handbag Rule’ near the check-in counters, vantage locations before SHA at the airports, so that passengers get sensitized and if required, have an option to switch their extra handbags to registered baggage.
