Mumbai: Citing security reasons, Jet
Airways on Thursday asked its passengers to report two hours before
their flight time, saying the check-in will close 45 minutes
before departure, even as a fliers' body termed this decision
as "impractical".
"In view of enhanced security measures implemented at
all airports by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security", the
private carrier advised passengers "to report two hours prior
to the departure of the flight. The check-in counters for
domestic flights will be closed 45 minutes prior to departure
and boarding gates will be closed 25 minutes prior to
departure as per existing procedures."
A Jet airways spokesperson said this measure will help
passengers in avoiding congestion at airports and the flights
will depart on time.
But the move came under attack from the Air Passengers
Association of India (APAI), which termed the decision as
"ridiculous and impractical".
Maintaining that the airline was "only trying to play
safe", APAI National President D Sudhakar Reddy said "this
way, a passenger will have to spend his entire day at the
airport. For a one-hour flight, he will have to spend much
more time at the airport than the flying time".
The DGCA has issued rules two months ago to allow
domestic airlines to close check-in counters 45 minutes before
flight departure.
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 30, 2010, 18:00