Budget carrier IndiGo's aviation security training facility licence has been suspended by the aviation security watchdog ‘Bureau of Civil Aviation Security’ for alleged lapses in the examination system conducted by it. Following the suspension of licence, IndiGo would have to outsource the training programme, which would result in additional cost for the carrier.
Sources said that the orders issued by the apex aviation security agency BCAS last week have barred the NCR based airline from conducting security training programme for its employees any further. They said that the development has come when the airline is already facing frequent glitches in its aircraft, resulting in the delay in its flights and inconvenience to the passengers.
The training academy is run by IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation.
Officials said that the licence of IndiGo's aviation security training centre was suspended on Friday after several lapses were detected in the examination procedure that it was following. "If security training is being compromised, it raises serious questions," they added.
When contacted, an IndiGo spokesperson said the airline was in discussions with BCAS to resolve the issue.
"Any lapse on the security front can have major ramifications for the country's aviation sector. At sensitive airports like Srinagar, a secondary ladder point check of passengers is carried by airline security staff..This major responsibility is entrusted on the airline security staff on the premise and assurance that they would execute this duty in a responsible manner," the sources said.
Regulations make it mandatory for all scheduled airlines to impart aviation security training to its security staff, cockpit and cabin crew either through their own BCAS approved facility or any other similar authorised centre. Besides, BCAS also conducts such training programmes for airlines and other stakeholders at all its regional offices.
Officials claimed that while cockpit and cabin crew are imparted a one-week training in various aspects of airline and airport security, for those deployed in other jobs it runs for more than a week.