New Delhi: A serious case of three foreign passengers boarding an international flight without completing the immigration process has come to light at the country's capital Delhi Airport. After the incident, the Civil Aviation Ministry has sought answers from Air India. At the same time, the Home Ministry has also called a meeting of officials related to security and immigration system.
Passengers had reached Delhi from Amritsar
This incident is being told of 4th September. Three Italian citizens had reached Delhi from Amritsar by Air India flight. After this he had to go to Germany by Lufthansa's Delhi-Munich flight.
According to the rules, after reaching Delhi, the passengers were required to go through the prescribed process of arrival immigration, but it is alleged that instead of being taken to the immigration area, they were taken to the international transfer area. After this, all three passengers boarded the flight to Munich.
Answer sought from Air India
Taking the matter seriously, the Civil Aviation Ministry has issued a show-cause notice to Air India. Answers have been sought from the airline on many questions. It has also been asked why the passengers were not made to go through the prescribed immigration process.
Questions have also been raised on the role of Air India and SATS employees escorting the passengers. The ministry has also sought clarification regarding the issue of boarding pass for Lufthansa's onward flight from Amritsar itself.
What is hub-and-spoke system?
In the hub-and-spoke model, the immigration process of some passengers is completed at the spoke airport and then they board an international flight from the hub airport. However, in this case Amritsar-Delhi and Delhi-Munich flights were not under this arrangement. Therefore it was necessary to complete the immigration process in Delhi.
Home Ministry called a meeting
Considering the matter as a serious security related lapse, the Home Ministry has called a meeting. This may include officials of Home Ministry, Immigration Bureau, security agencies, Civil Aviation Ministry and Delhi Airport. Adherence to hub-and-spoke rules and measures to prevent such lapses are also likely to be discussed in the meeting.