THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Air India security staff at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport on Monday foiled a bid by a passenger to sneak in 43 kilograms of extra luggage by allegedly colluding with an airline staffer. The incident assumes significance as overloading of aircraft is a serious threat to a flight's stability and control. A staff of AI-SATS ground handling agency, who allegedly colluded with the passenger by accepting a bribe, has been placed under suspension.
According to sources, a passenger identified as Lince Joseph of Pathanamthitta, who came to board the Air India flight, AI 263, to travel to Male along with two of his family members, was intercepted with the extra luggage. While the five pieces of baggage he was carrying weighed 103 kilograms, it was entered as 60 kilograms at the check-in counter. The free baggage limit for three persons is 60 kg, 20 kg each. An Air India security staff who became suspicious, detected the fraud.
The passenger told the security staff that the check-in counter staff demanded Rs 4,000 for the additional baggage and entered the total weight as 60 kilogram. Otherwise the passenger would have to pay around Rs 8,000 for extra baggage. Air India station manager Raghu Babu, who confirmed the incident, told DC that the matter was reported to AI-SATS as a staff of that agency was at the counter. AI-SATS said in a statement that, "We strongly condemn such misconduct, and have placed the said employee under immediate suspension, pending investigation. We will also offer our full support to the concerned authorities in their investigation."
Aviation experts said that the issue should not be taken lightly as it affected airline safety. "When a flight prepares for take off, the airline hands over details of passengers, weight of cargo and fuel to the crew. This is crucial in deciding the speed of the aircraft and the length of runway required for take off and landing," said sources. It is also felt that such instances of under-weighing cargo are quite rampant.
