Baggage scanner at airport malfunctions

DISCOMFORT Passengers had to be sent to the arrivals area of the int’l terminal to get their baggage screened

LUCKNOW: Questions were raised on Lucknow airport’s security arrangements when a baggage scanner at the international terminal malfunctioned on early Friday morning.

The international terminal’s departure area has two baggage scanners. While one has been lying non-functional for about a year, the other also stopped working on Friday.

Passengers of Dubai-bound Air India Express flight IX 193 had to be sent to the arrivals area of the terminal to get their baggage screened. Airport security stationed there scanned the luggage pieces using the scanner meant for customs.

The screening could begin only 90 minutes before the flight’s scheduled departure and officials were seen hurrying to finish the process. After the delayed screening, airlines officials then rushed to check in passengers.

An immigration official posted at the airport blamed the Airport Authority of India for their “callous attitude”. “One scanner has been lying unused for the last one year. The other one malfunctioned this morning,” he said. He informed that almost 800 passengers fly out of Lucknow’s international terminal on 12 flights every day.

In comparison to the well managed domestic terminal, the international departure and arrival are in a bad shape, complained the passengers. “Sign boards, toilets, waiting areas are being maintained poorly,” said a passenger.

The airport earns a hefty amount from passengers through taxes. Ironically, a higher amount is charged from international passengers.

Another passenger complained about the indifference of airport officials. “Friday’s incident of malfunctioning scanner is another example of such careless behaviour,” he said, adding, “It is a shame that Lucknow, which wants to boost its tourism, has such a badly managed international terminal.”

Director, airport, PK Srivastava, admitted that the scanner developed a snag for a while but asserted that there was no delay in any of the flights. “All the flights left on time as the snag was repaired within a few minutes,” he shared.

Speaking to HT, Srivastava said that the old building had limited space and thus adding a new scanner was not possible.