In a significant security lapse at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru, 30 passengers who arrived from Colombo were mistakenly dropped at the domestic arrivals gate on Friday.
The passengers, who were dropped off at the domestic arrivals bus gate instead of the internatonal arrivals bus gate at the Bengaluru Airport, travelled on a Sri Lankan Airlines UL 173 flight, according to a spokesperson of BIAL (Bengaluru International Airport Limited). “On March 17, 30 passengers who travelled on Sri Lankan Airlines UL 173 were erroneously dropped at the domestic arrivals bus gate of BLR Airport instead of international arrivals bus gate. These passengers entered the domestic baggage claim area,” the BIAL Spokesperson said.
However, the terminal operations team rushed to the scene where the CISF and Immigration were alerted of the mishap.
“The Terminal Operations team along with CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) and Immigration were alerted and the passengers were immediately moved to the international arrivals for immigration. After that the passengers proceeded to the international baggage claim area,” the BIAL Spokesperson added.
BIAL stated further that a human error was responsible for the situation at the airport that ultimately caused the confusion. However, corrective measures are being taken.