Public urged for safe passage to passengers, airport staff
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 19 2024: Officials of Airports Authority of India (AAI), Imphal Airport have appealed to the public to ease the movement of airport staff and flight passengers during protests amid the ongoing crisis in the state.

Since the violence erupted on May 3, 2023, flight passengers and airport staff have been facing serious inconveniences, particularly during public protests.

While the number of incoming passengers has remained relatively steady, outgoing passengers often experience disruptions due to protests, leading to a decline in the number of departures.

This reduction in outgoing flights could prompt airlines to cut down services or even suspend operations in the state, which would be a serious concern for the people of the state.

Reinstating these flight routes could take a long time and difficult to manage.

The officials also highlighted the potential security risks posed by any protest that might affect airport operations, stressing that such incidents could lead to the closure of the airport.

In the event of closure of an airport, neither the state nor central government alone would be able to reopen it without a comprehensive security-risk assessment by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

This assessment could take months, or even up to a year, to complete.

In light of these concerns, the AAI officials urged the public to be mindful of the impact of protests on airport operations and to refrain from causing disruptions that could further complicate the situation for both staff and passengers.

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