Pune: Security has been heightened at the city airport in the wake of the hoax bomb threat on Thursday evening that sent the facility into full alert mode, as well as the upcoming Republic Day. Now, secondary ladder point security checks (SLPC) have been made mandatory for flyers. In addition, passengers have been advised to report at least three hours prior to their flights, senior airport officials told TOI. Pune airport director Santosh Dhoke said that a special security coordination meeting was convened on Friday, during which all agencies concerned were advised to enhance vigilance. “Steps are being taken based on the minutes of the meeting. Special quick reaction teams (QRT) were activated, and they are keeping an eye in and around the airport, both on the airside and cityside. Intensive checking of passengers and vehicles is being conducted at approach nakas leading to the terminal building. Pune airport is a hyper-sensitive facility security-wise, and one has to follow these measures,” he said. Late on Thursday evening, a handwritten note was found in one of the lavatories of the airport, claiming that a bomb was present on an IndiGo flight that landed in Pune from Delhi. The discovery triggered a series of reactions, including thorough checking of the aircraft by the bomb detection and disposal squad, besides other checks across the airport. However, the threat was finally found to be a hoax. Commenting on the SLPC protocol that has been activated, Dhoke said, “It will remain active until Jan 30, which might increase time taken for security checks overall.” SLPC means that once a flyer, after completing security checks, is on the aerobridge and about to enter the aircraft, frisking and possible checked-in bag checks are carried out once again. Dhoke added, “Surveillance in and around the airport premises has also been further enhanced, in addition to security measures at the cargo terminal. Monitoring and access control of ground handling staff and other airport personnel have been intensified.” Also on Friday, due to road closures related to the Pune Grand Tour, several flyers were already anxious about delays. Some reached the airport by 11am even if their flights were in the evening. Many who landed at the airport during the day found it extremely difficult to get cabs to exit the premises. On this, Dhoke said that the AeroMall had sufficient space for arriving passengers to wait comfortably. Meanwhile, several flyers shared their troubles with TOI. “My flight is at 5.50pm, but I came to the airport by noon as I didn’t want to risk getting stuck in a major traffic jam,” said Paresh Jain, who was travelling to Chennai on Friday. Atanu Prakash, who landed in Pune from Bengaluru at 1.50pm, said he was stuck. “I have to go to Shivajinagar, but none of the cabbies are ready to go. They are telling me that most of the roads are blocked and there are many diversions. I have no choice but to wait until 4pm before heading home. I don’t know what time I will reach,” he said. Prashant Yadav, who landed from Delhi, agreed and said, “I landed around 2.30pm but remained at the AeroMall until 4.30pm before heading out to my friend’s place in Rasta Peth, as cabs were not accepting bookings.”
