Airport security in India has become ever-increasingly vital as the country handled over 123 million air travellers in 2022 (MoCA Annual Report, 2022). The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), an arm of the Civil Aviation Ministry, lays down nationwide standards and conducts regular audits to safeguard civil flights.
While modern airports employ multi-layered security screening and surveillance, recent events have led BCAS to continually update its regulations. For example, it recently banned visitors in terminals and imposed extra secondary checks amid border tensions (Hindustan Times, May’25). Conversely, airlines are advising passengers to arrive extra early as checks tighten.
In this climate, robust airport security requires a combination of trained personnel and technology (CCTV, biometric ID, explosives detection).
Read this blog to learn more about its current challenges and solutions.
Evolution and Current State of Indian Airport Security
India’s airport security framework has evolved drastically over the decades. BCAS, established under the Aircraft Act, now issues updated national security programmes (e.g., NCASP, NCASQCP) as per ICAO standards. In 2022, MoCA introduced risk-based vulnerability assessments, categorising 134 airports as normal, sensitive, or hypersensitive, to help focus resources where needed. The Department of Civil Aviation also restructured BCAS in 2024, adding more regional offices to cope with emerging threats (cyber, UAVs, CBRN).
At the same time, major airports are modernising: 24 airports now support the Digi Yatra biometric boarding system (MoCA Annual Report, 2024), and new facility designs incorporate integrated surveillance networks. Security drills are routine, as BCAS has revised anti-hijack rules and continues to refine airport contingency exercises. The CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) remains the principal aviation security agency, deploying ~50,000 personnel to guard India’s 68 civil airports (Business Standard, Dec’24).
Overall, India’s airport security has become a highly regulated, technology-assisted ecosystem under BCAS oversight.
Navigating the Challenges
Given the high passenger volume, Indian aviation security protocols face distinct challenges, some of which are:
Perimeter Intrusions
Ensuring no unauthorised person enters secured airside areas is tough. For example, in a Jan 2024 incident at Delhi’s IGI Airport, an intruder breached the perimeter, leading police to charge him under trespass and the Aircraft Security Rules (Deccan Herald). Even a single lapse can trigger major risks.
Geopolitical Tensions
Tensions at borders can force sudden changes. In May 2025, rising border tensions prompted the closure of 32 airports in northern India and heightened nationwide checks (
). BCAS-advised measures like banning visitors and additional boarding-gate checks are temporarily invoked during such alerts.
Human Factors
Screening effectiveness depends on vigilant officers. Fatigue, complacency, or insider collusion pose risks. Managing thousands of passengers and staff daily is a challenge. Human errors or lapses in procedure can create gaps that technology must cover.
Cargo & Baggage
Non-passenger items are also targets. Historically, CISF focused on passengers, but after recent terror scares, BCAS directed CISF to expand its role to cargo and deploy specially trained transportation security officers for in-line baggage screening at 69 airports (TOI, May’25). Ensuring every checked bag and cargo crate is safely screened can be a logistical hurdle.
Evolving Threats
New threats like drones and cyberattacks have become commonplace. However, balancing passenger convenience with enhanced checks (e.g., implementing random checks or pat downs) is an ongoing balancing act in itself. Providers of security services for airports are exploring anti-drone systems and cyber-defences to protect critical systems and communications.
6 Common Solutions to Maintaining Robust Airport Security
Adequate aviation security relies on fundamental interconnected components, which include:
Regulatory Framework
BCAS already mandates standardised procedures, ensuring every airport meets minimum security norms. Periodic inspections and audits are thus necessary, as are mock drills (anti-hijack, emergency response) to test readiness.
Perimeter and Access Control
Multiple layers of fencing, intrusion sensors, guarded checkpoints, and biometric/passport gates can prevent unauthorised entry. Additionally, vetting of airport staff and vendors will help mitigate insider threats.
Passenger Screening
All departing passengers go through metal detectors, explosive trace detectors (swabs) and X-ray or CT scanners for hand baggage. The sooner all major airports deploy 3D-computed tomography scanners, the better threat detection will be without slowing queues.
Baggage & Cargo Scanning
Besides deploying transportation security officers, major airports use in-line hold-baggage screening machines. Cargo shipments are risk-assessed and inspected, and guided by BCAS rules, many airports now mandate X-ray screening of cargo and food supplies. Deploying security guards at airport for random physical checks for non-metallic threats and contrabands can further strengthen security.
Advanced Surveillance & Monitoring
Thousands of CCTV cameras with centralised monitoring are necessary to cover terminals, aprons, and perimeters, alongside remote drones for perimeter patrol. Security services for airports suggest integrating command-and-control centres that fuse camera feeds, access logs, and alert sensors to enable real-time security operations. Utilising face recognition to allow contactless ID verification is also beneficial, which, as mentioned earlier, the busiest Indian hubs have already implemented.
Emergency Response
Trained security forces and QRTs (Quick Reaction Teams) must be on standby for incidents. BCAS recently issued dedicated QRT guidelines based on lessons from past security incidents. Armed intervention teams, canine units (K9), and coordination with the police and army ensure that any breach can be contained quickly.
How Human Security Guards at Airports Play a Vital Role
Airport security increasingly leverages advanced tech. This encompasses not just biometric ID verification and CTX scanners but also AI for flagging suspicious behaviour on video feeds and cybersecurity tools to protect passenger and flight databases.
Despite all that, well-trained personnel remain crucial. Like transportation security officers, CISF officers and licensed private guards staff every checkpoint and patrol. These security guards at airport perform ID checks, operate screening gear, and watch for anomalies. Personnel are vetted and undergo extensive aviation-specific training.
In 2024, BCAS updated the National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP) to refresh screening protocols and threat awareness. CISF, too, has certified aviation security experts running training programmes at all key airports. After all, regular drills and examinations keep guard skills sharp.
Human vigilance is the last line of defence; alert officers can notice things machines miss. MSF’s workforce of 60,000+ trained professionals emphasises rigid compliance, ongoing drills, and performance audits. Because safety culture, from top management to entry-level guards, is critical to minimising human errors and insider risks.
Your Trusted Partner in Airport Security – MSF
Maintaining ironclad airport security in India requires continuously evolving protocols, advanced tech, and vigilant personnel. As one of India’s largest security companies (CRISIL-rated #1), Modern Veer Rays Security Force India Pvt. Ltd. (MSF) exemplifies a holistic, technology-integrated approach to airport security.
Our workforce of trained personnel spans 75+ branches nationwide, providing PSARA-licensed security guards and officers who manage patrolling, access control, and screening. Simultaneously, MSF’s technology-driven capabilities, such as CCTV surveillance, biometric entry systems, and remote monitoring platforms, back them up.
MSF teams have specialised experience in aviation security, coordinating with BCAS guidelines and airport authorities. We deploy integrated solutions: live camera analytics, automated alerts, and secure communication networks link our officers in real time. Our control centres operate 24/7 to oversee all deployed forces and devices.
Through proactive management and a culture of security awareness, MSF’s large workforce and advanced surveillance infrastructure deliver the end-to-end security services for airports needed to protect passengers and assets.
FAQs
1. Can MSF’s security personnel at the airport assist with customer service inquiries?
While their primary role is security, MSF’s trained personnel, including security guard airport staff, often receive customer service training to assist passengers with basic needs.
2. How should airport staff and vendors be vetted before getting security clearance?
All airport staff, including airline crew, baggage handlers, caterers, and maintenance workers, must undergo background checks, police verification, and biometric enrollment before receiving Airport Entry Passes (AEPs), which are colour-coded based on access level. To reduce risks, random surprise audits and frisking should also be conducted.
3. Are Indian airports prepared to handle bomb threats or hoax calls?
Every airport maintains a Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP). In case of a threat, an aircraft isolation bay is activated, and Bomb Detection and Disposal Squads (BDDS) are deployed. Hoax calls are also treated seriously, with offenders facing legal action under IPC Sections 505 and 506.
4. How does MSF ensure compliance with national and international aviation security standards?
As discussed above, we strictly adhere to all relevant national and international aviation security standards and regulations, integrating them into our protocols and training to provide best-in-class security services for airports.