With regard to the security protocol rules relating to differently abled persons at airports, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), the regulatory authority for Civil Aviation Security in the country, has circulated Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) in March, 2014, which inter-alia provides that:
(i) All airport operators should make special arrangements to facilitate screening of persons with special needs so that the process is carried out efficiently keeping the dignity and privacy of the passenger in mind while ensuring adequate level of screening. This will include provision of suitable enclosed space for private screening of passengers covered in this SoP.;
(ii) In case of a passenger having difficulty in walking or standing, the way his or her screening is conducted will depend on his or her level of ability/disability.
(iii) During screening of prosthetics Aviation Security Group(ASG)/Airport Security Unit(APSU) may use X-ray, ETD and visual check depending on the circumstances.
(iv) Dignity and privacy of the passengers should be borne in mind during the entire process of security screening. Where the officer needs to see the prosthetic, care should be taken against exposing any sensitive areas. ASG/APSU will also use technology to test the prosthetic for traces of explosive material. If explosive material is detected, the passenger will have to undergo additional screening.
Deployment of full body scanner may not solve the problem of all the disabled persons as they may not be in a position to stand on their own. However, it may help in case of some partially disabled persons.
This information was given by Shri Jayant Sinha, Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil aviation in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
[17th November, 2016]
