Delhi airport denies notice over reports of security lapse involving three Air India passengers to Italy

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) on Monday denied receiving any show-cause notice over an alleged security lapse involving three Air India passengers en-route to Italy.

Responding to reports, DIAL in a post on X said, “We would like to clarify that Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) has not been served any Show Cause Notice in this matter.” It added that the security at the Indira Gandhi International Airport is “managed under a multi-agency framework.”

The Delhi airport further said it was “fully committed to supporting all security and government agencies and complying with all laid down protocols” as the airport operator. It urged people to refrain from posting or sharing unverified information.

Also Read | Need-based curbs helped Delhi balance BRICS security, traffic

What was the alleged incident?

Delhi airport's denial came amid reports that three foreign passengers, allegedly Italian nationals, boarded their international flight and flew from Delhi to Munich without undergoing immigration clearance, as reported by multiple news outlets, including NDTV and News18.

The incident allegedly took place in the early hours of September 4, when the three arrived in Delhi from Amritsar under Air India's hub-and-spoke arrangement. At Amritsar, they had been issued 'D' (domestic) boarding passes for their flight to Delhi, and they also had onward boarding passes for the Lufthansa flight from Delhi to Munich.

According to ministry sources cited by News18, the passengers with 'D' boarding passes were required to go through immigration as per the prescribed procedure. However, these passengers bypassed immigration checks at Delhi airport and reached the boarding gate via the International-to-International (I-to-I) transfer area. They reportedly boarded the flight without immigration clearance.

There was no immediate reaction from the civil aviation ministry or the airline on the matter.

Also Read | China to resume Delhi-Guangzhou flight after 6 years as Modi, Xi meet at BRICS

MHA calls meeting over alleged security lapse: Sources

According to sources, the ministry of home affairs has on Tuesday called a meeting on the matter at the Kartavya Bhawan at 7pm.

Secretaries and additional secretaries of both the MHA and the ministry of civil aviation, and the Air India group head, will be among those present at the meeting. MHA has asked the MoCA to make a presentation on the matter