Aviation Security

BRIEF ON THE DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OF THE DIRECTORATE OF SECURITY, AAI

1.   Airport Security is critical and extremely important aspect of the functioning of an Airport.  It includes the vital function of anti-hijacking measures at any given Airport. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) is responsible for the implementation of Aviation Security at Airports as per the Security guidelines and Standards prescribed by Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO),  in accordance with Annex-17/12th edition of ICAO.

2.   An independent Directorate of Security was established at the Corporate Hqrs. of the AAI in the year 2001 to ensure smooth and efficient Security at the Airports and a full time Directorate (Security) was first inducted in AAI in March 2001.

3.   The main functions of the Security Directorate are given below:

     i)    Ensure effective functioning of Security apparatus.

     ii)   Ensure requisite physical barriers / structures.

     iii)  Ensure installations of requisite equipments and

     iv)  Ensure proper co-ordination.

4.   The Director (Security) of AAI has been nominated by the MCA as the Nodal officer to coordinate with CISF, BCAS and MCA for effective deployment, efficient performance, administrative arrangements, operational supervision of CISF personnel and for implementation of Aviation Security (AVSEC) Standards laid down by the BCAS. The Director (Security) deals and communicates with all agencies for Airport security.

5.   It may also be mentioned that the Director (Security) being the Nodal Officer from AAI coordinates with various agencies for effective deployment not only of the CISF personnel but also of the State Police personnel at such Airports where CISF has not been inducted so far.

6.   Anti-hijacking measures are implemented & monitored for the safe Aircraft Operations through the Indian Airports and thus the traveling public are the clients of the Directorate of Security, who on ground, provides these functions either through the CISF or through the State Police.

7.   The quantum of Security equipments like Hand Held Metal Detectors (HHMD), Door Frame Metal Detectors (DFMD), X-ray Baggage Inspection System (X-BIS), Walkie-Talkie, surveillance CCTV system, ILBHS etc. is projected by the field stations, which in turn is examined by the Directorate of Airport Security and the necessary recommendations are made to the Directorate of Airport Systems (AS) of AAI for the purpose of necessary procurement, installation and commissioning at the given airport. The maintenance of these equipments is entrusted of the field office of the AS Directorate of AAI. The norms and specifications of various equipments listed above are based on specifications of BCAS, which are duly notified to the AS Directorate.

8.   The Government of India has designate and notified to the ICAO that the Director General (BCAS) is the Appropriate Authority responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) including National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP) and National Civil Aviation Security Quality Control Programme (NCASQCP) in India.  The Ministry of Civil Aviation has also laid down a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Aviation Security Group (ASG) of CISF & State Police for the deployment and functioning at the Civil Airports in India to undertake Aviation Security functions in order to prevent unlawful interference with Civil Aviation operations.

9.   In accordance with AVSEC Order 5/2011,  Airport Director is the Security Coordinator in respect of Security functions at his respective Airport. However, Airport Director can nominate any officer to work as Chief Security Officer to look after the Security functions on his behalf.

10.  Presently 17464 CISF and 4656 State Police personnel are deployed at 108 operational Airports of AAI in the Country as on 23.4.2026.