"Nobody Anticipated...": Minister J Scindia To NDTV On Airport Congestion

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia spoke to NDTV on congestion at airports. Passengers had been complaining of long queues during check-in at the airport in Delhi and other cities. The government has said the check-in process has improved now after they took corrective steps. Here are some quotes from the interview:

• The civil aviation sector has seen a V-shaped recovery.
• From aircraft sitting on the tarmac to all planes flying today, there has been a surge in air travel after the decline of COVID-19.
• But it (the boom) brings with it problems of logistics and operations.
• Between the demands of passengers wanting to travel and the supply by airlines sits the airport, which has to provide a seamless and efficient service.
• It is the airport operator's responsibility to provide that (seamless) service.
• No one had anticipated such a rush for the winter festival vacations.
• I held a meeting with all the airport operators about this.
• Now, there is also a section of airport security check. But let me clarify that the delays are not because of the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) staff.
• We currently have 11 lines and sections for this (security). But we need 16 such lines and sections. I have had a discussion with the airport operator and this is being provided for.
• There is a problem with entry gates too. If there is a 20-minute wait time at gate number 6 and only a 2-minute wait at gate number 11, then immediately it must be switched. That must also be put up on a display screen. That is something being done now after my discussion with the airport operator.
• Now, at the security check, we have 17 security lines as of today. We have gone from 11+2 a few days ago to 17... and in a few days we hope to increase it to 20 security lines. We have also removed all unnecessary barricades.
• This (congestion) is not a CISF issue. There is no shortfall of CISF personnel. The DG-CISF was with me in the three-hour meeting and I asked Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) as well if this was a CISF issue. I was told there is no problem from CISF side. They are in fact cooperating fully with the airport requirements.
• The customers and flyers have faced a harrowing time in the last four-five days. We have taken urgent measures and this will only improve immediately and will continue to do so over the next few days.
• Mumbai and Bangalore have also been given the same instructions and are mirroring operational amendments in tune with Delhi airport - which is the country's busiest.
• Mumbai and Bengaluru airports are yet nowhere in comparison in terms of passenger-handling with that of Delhi. Delhi is at about 70-80 million and at 100 million with T1 (terminal 1) being in operation.
• Mumbai is at 60 million and that is why we are building the Navi Mumbai Airport. Bengaluru T2 (terminal 2) has just opened. In Delhi too, by 2024-25 we will have the Noida Airport phase-1 opened for 12 million passengers.
• Things will improve in the next 7-10 days as these new measures get implemented fully. We need to do this in coordination with all airlines and hence the implementation will take a few days.