New Delhi : The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked all commercial airlines to ensure that aircraft window shades remain shut during takeoff and landing at defence airfields, particularly those near the western border.
The DGCA directive, which comes days after India’s western borders saw hostilities with Pakistan, applies to dual-use airports that serve both civilian and military operations. The DGCA has also asked airlines to alert passengers of the ban on photography and videography at military bases during their transit.
“Operators should also communicate the potential consequences of non-compliance, including regulatory or legal action as per applicable security protocols,” the statement said. Airlines have been directed to make mandatory pre-flight announcements, both before take-off and landing, instructing passengers to close window shades and refrain from using cameras or phones for recording.
The guidelines have been issued to enhance “operational safety” and prevent the “unintentional sharing of security-related information by the public”, the DGCA directive said. The airports where the directives have to be strictly followed include the ones at Leh, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Adampur, Chandigarh, Bathinda, Jaisalmer, Nal, Jodhpur, Hindon, Agra, Kanpur, Bareilly, Maharajpur, Gorakhpur, Bhuj, Lohegaon, Goa (Dabolim), and Vizag.
