In a setback for IndiGo, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has suspended the licence of its aviation security training facility, saying there were "serious" lapses in its system.
Official sources said the order issued last Friday by the country’s apex aviation security agency bar the no-frills carrier from conducting security training programmes for its employees anymore.
The training facility is operated by IndiGo’s parent company, InterGlobe Aviation.Sources said that an examination conducted by BCAS found lapses in the examination procedure that it was following.
An IndiGo spokesperson said that the airline were in touch with BCAS to resolve the issue. An official statement issued by the carrier on the issue was recalled later.
With the BCAS decision, IndiGo would have to outsource the training programme. This could result in additional cost for the airline.
Sources said that the BCAS could not be lenient as any lapse on the security front can have major ramifications. According to officials, if security training is being compromised, it raises serious questions.
As per rules, all scheduled airlines should impart aviation security training to its security staff, cockpit and cabin crew either through their own BCAS approved facility or any other similar authorised centre.
BCAS also conducts training programmes at all its regional offices. Cockpit and cabin crew are given a one week training in various aspects of airline and airport security while for those deployed in other jobs it runs for more than a week.
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