45% SpiceJet staff clear basic test on aviation security

In a development that has serious and far-reaching consequences for aviation security in India, almost 55 per cent of airline as well as CISF personnel flunked a basic test conducted by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) between 26 May and 7 June, 2014. 

Only 18 out of 40 SpiceJet employees who appeared for the exam passed. The exam tests the knowledge of rules, screening and working of equipment like x-rays and metal detectors. The basic aviation security exam is conducted by the BCAS keeping in mind the international aviation standards.

The test is divided into theoretical as well as practical and has to be appeared by all personnel involved with airport security, including private airline employees, airport operators and CISF personnel. This test, conducted by the agency in phases at regular intervals, is meant to check preparedness of security personnel in view of renewed threat perceptions and to make them aware of the changing pattern of IEDs and other explosives, said the airport sources.

The test has two sections, a 60-mark written test and a 40-mark practical. The passing mark is 80. In the test, SpiceJet employees from Delhi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Agartala, Coimbatore, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, Varanasi, Goa, Guwahati and Amritsar had appeared. Among the 10 employees from Delhi, only two passed while eight failed. From Hyderabad only two employees managed to clear the exam while three flunked.

‘By all standards, it was a poor performance,’ said an airport source. He further said that successful completion of the course enables the candidate to be eligible for posting on security duties at the airport. Sources further said the huge growth in air travel has made every airport a potential terror target where intense security is an absolute requirement.

Meanwhile, when Millennium Post tried to contact the airlines spokesperson, he refused to comment on the matter. ‘This is the airline’s internal matter and we cannot comment on it,’ said the SpiceJet spokesperson.