BCAS Orders Pre-Boarding Checks for All Flyers at All Airports Amid Rising India-Pak Tensions

Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has instructed all airlines and Indian airports to beef up their security measures, ANI said in a post on social media handle X. The bureau in its directions mandated Secondary Ladder Point Check (SLPC) for all passengers at all airports. These checks are also called pre-boarding checks.

It has also banned the entry of visitors to terminal buildings. Air marshal deployment will be aligned accordingly, the post said citing the Ministry of Civil Aviation sources.

The enhanced security steps include increased surveillance, strict on-ground monitoring of operations of microlite aircraft, aero models, para glider, unmanned aerial systems, drones, deployment of additional security guards at aircraft, thorough scrutiny of PNR, passenger and cargo.

The move to 100% secondary ladder point checks will significantly increase the passenger processing times and resource requirements. Previously, these were selectively enforced, following specific security threats.

In view of the BCAS' order Air India advised the passengers across India to arrive at least three hours prior to scheduled departure at their respective airports. "Check-in closes 75 mins before departure," the airline company said in a post on X.

All checks for anything or person entering an aircraft are being raised to the highest level amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. The government has ordered "strict monitoring of non-scheduled flight operations including air ambulance and enhanced security measures and surveillance at cargo and general aviation terminals," the Times of India reported.

Commercial air traffic across the northwestern states remains disrupted a day after India’s Operation Sindoor that targeted terrorist camps in Pakistan and PoK. Airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights, and several airports have also temporarily suspended operations for the coming days. As per a report by The Times of India, Indian airlines cancelled 430 flights on Thursday, or nearly 3% of the nation’s total scheduled services.

Meanwhile the Ministry of Defence tweeted that military stations at Jammu, Pathankot and Udhampur were targeted by Pakistani-origin drones and missiles along the International Border in J&K today. However, they were swiftly neutralized. No casualties or material losses have been reported as of now. “India remains fully prepared to defend its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its people," the tweet said.

The IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Kings XI Punjab was also called off after Pakistan launched missiles and drones into India.