Tag Archives: Security

Canada enhances security for Indian travellers

 

Amid tense diplomatic relations between Canada and India, Canada has introduced enhanced security measures for Travellers heading to India. Federal Transport Minister Anita Anand announced these additional screening protocols, citing an “abundance of caution” following accusations by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau regarding Indian agents’ involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

Transport Canada has implemented temporary measures, including more rigorous screening by the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). These measures, now active in Toronto and other airports, may involve hand swabs, additional X-ray screenings of carry-on baggage, and physical passenger inspections. Airlines, like Air Canada, have advised passengers to arrive early to accommodate potential delays.

Security concerns have been heightened by recent incidents, such as a bomb threat against an Air India flight, and threats issued by Khalistani leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. While no explosives were found on the diverted Air India flight, authorities remain vigilant amid escalating tensions.

Passengers are advised to plan ahead as Canada seeks to ensure safety while navigating a complex geopolitical environment.

Kangra Airport expansion to boost tourism

 

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Wednesday that by March next year, flights will operate at Kangra airport from sunrise to sunset. The approval for this has already been granted. In addition, the state government will provide additional security personnel to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) to ensure smooth operations.

During a review meeting at the mini-secretariat in Dharamshala, Sukhu emphasised his personal commitment to monitoring the progress of key projects aimed at transforming Kangra into the tourism capital of Himachal Pradesh. These projects include the development of a zoo in Bankhandi, water sports facilities at Pong Lake, the expansion of Kangra airport, and the establishment of an advanced milk plant in Dhangwar.

Sukhu further highlighted that the expansion of Kangra airport is a vital part of the state’s vision for the region. The airport’s current runway length of 1,376 meters will be extended to 3,010 meters to accommodate larger aircraft, which is expected to boost tourism and connectivity.

The expansion plan requires the acquisition of land from 14 revenue villages across eight panchayats. This land acquisition is an essential step for the successful completion of the project, which aims to make Kangra more accessible to travellers and improve overall infrastructure.

The Chief Minister’s efforts align with his broader goal of enhancing the tourism sector in the state. The development of Kangra airport, along with other proposed projects, is expected to play a pivotal role in boosting the region’s appeal to both domestic and international tourists.

PM Modi praises Digi Yatra initiative

 

At the 2nd Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Civil Aviation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Digi Yatra for revolutionising India’s aviation sector. He highlighted its use of Facial Recognition Technology to streamline air travel, allowing passengers to pass through airport checkpoints swiftly and efficiently.

Digi Yatra, backed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and operated by Digi Yatra Foundation, ensures passenger data security through its Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) ecosystem. Since its launch in 2022, it has grown to 5 million users by August 2024 and is operational at 24 locations across India.

Suresh Khadakbhavi, CEO, Digi Yatra Foundation, expressed gratitude for the Prime Minister’s recognition, emphasising their commitment to expanding the initiative while maintaining passenger convenience and data security. He noted Modi’s acknowledgment of Digi Yatra as the “future of travel” further motivates them to innovate and extend its reach.

The initiative, designed with privacy in mind, allows passengers to move through various airport checkpoints using facial biometrics, drastically reducing processing time to just 5 seconds, making air travel smoother and more convenient.

ACI World launches APEX in Cybersecurity assessment program to create awareness

Airports Council International (ACI) World has reiterated its commitment to improving the overall cyber awareness and resilience of airport operators and the aviation ecosystem through advocacy and the launch of a new airport assessment program.

The support to ACI members in the area of cybersecurity follows the ACI World Resolution “Affirming airport’s commitment to addressing the evolving cyber threats in aviation,” agreed at the 33rd ACI World Annual General Assembly (WAGA) that took place in Barcelona, Spain, in June 2023.

ACI World will actively represent airport interests at the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) Security Week 2023: Aviation Security (AVSEC) & Cybersecurity (CYBERSEC) event, beginning today and running until 27 October 2023 in Montreal.

With the proliferation of cyber-attacks globally, ACI World continues to advocate for a cybersecurity regulatory framework that is developed to be outcomes focused, fit for purpose, leveraging existing standards and frameworks, and promoting cybersecurity culture across the aviation industry.

Further building airport and aviation awareness and resilience should include developing incident response and recovery mechanisms as part of existing emergency or business continuity plans and leveraging international cyber information-sharing mechanisms.

To help airports identify cybersecurity vulnerabilities, mitigate risks, and ensure regulatory compliance, ACI World today launches the newest addition to the Airport Excellence (APEX) peer assessment program that has been helping airports optimise their safety, security, and environmental standards consecutively since 2011.

The new APEX in Cybersecurity is an onsite airport review and serves as a starting point for assessing cybersecurity practices at airports. The program is meticulously designed to assist airports in undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of their cybersecurity landscape. By leveraging international standards and renowned frameworks, the program offers a proactive and rounded perspective on the cyber challenges faced by airports today.

Luis Felipe de Oliveira, Director General, ACI World, said, “It is critical that stakeholders continue to work collaboratively to strengthen the aviation ecosystem’s mitigation and resilience to cyber events. A cybersecurity framework that is outcomes focused and fit for purpose, coupled with the development of incident responses and recovery mechanisms as well as international cyber information sharing are pivotal to our shared goal of a thriving air transport system.”

“To support ACI members across all regions, from bustling hubs to medium and small airports, ACI World today launches the APEX in Cybersecurity program aimed at leveraging the expertise of the airport and aviation community to raise cyber awareness and resilience standards at airports. A strong collaborative approach is essential to address cyber threats.”

SECURITY CONCERNS VERSUS TRAVEL EXPERIENCES

What exactly can handle the impressions of strict security contrasted with great-experience needs?

After sailing seamlessly through immigration counters at airports in 60 plus countries in the the last decade and a half, to be asked to step aside for further questioning at the Ben Guiron airport in Tel Aviv came as an irritant, howsoever minor. Especially since they allowed me to go without asking a single question.

The world today is cautious, suspicious and should definitely be on guard. However, from the tourism standpoint, how smooth, unobtrusive and efficient this process can be may define tourism friendliness to starry eyed visitors.

Adverse news relating to security or safety hits tourism like a ton of bricks. And if the ‘prevention is better than cure’ is the dictum to follow, the thankless job of relevant bodies to nip crime or unrest before it happens turns vital.

Any lack of deterrence and detection abilities of security apparatus is inexcusable in today’s world. Towards this, even among front line travel industry workers, consistent development of security measures, personnel and training rises to the forefront. They should not just be equipped professionally and emotionally to tackle such situations whenever they arise but also try to prevent them in the first place.

Recently there were reports of panic created by an irresponsible passenger at Atlanta in USA that led to the authorities almost vacating the airport. Closer home in India’s Rishikesh an ugly midstream brawl on the rapids between rafters was another irritant. Similarly, regular news of unsavoury arguments amongst passengers themselves and with crew as well, during flights requires definitely keener attention.

Thankfully enhanced and greater travel experiences can always help ride over such hiccups.

As my last fortnight’s experience showed, the sheer sunny disposition of Nadia, our guide in Jerusalem who narrated three thousand years history right till 2023 with humour and wit and Majid, our eager young Uber driver who stopped the car to actually treat us to baklava he bought for us from his favourite shop at Tel Aviv were very warm experiences indeed.

So much so that the brief cross examining, even while entering the airport to fly back didn’t seem a bother.

(The views expressed in the column are of the author, and may or may not be endorsed by the publication)