New Delhi: A controversy has been triggered after the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security scrapped the practice of having a separate queue for business/executive class passengers for screening (pre-embarkation frisking) at the New Delhi IGI airport.

The BCAS, in an order dated February 26, has scrapped the practice for a month after which the decision will be reviewed.

However, the BCAS made it clear that disabled persons, airline crew and senior citizens above 60 years of age would continue to be entitled to a separate queue for screening at Delhi airport.

The move has surprised many since business/executive class passengers pay much more than economy class passengers as part of the ticket price for any special privilege they receive.

Civil Aviation Ministry sources said a senior ministry official had earlier verbally opposed any such move by the BCAS when the matter was discussed at a meeting but that despite this, the BCAS had gone ahead and issued the order.

The ministry may now take up the matter with the BCAS. The BCAS is the top-most body on aviation security in the country but functions under the purview of the civil aviation ministry. The BCAS’s move to scrap the separate queue for business/executive class passengers for screening at Delhi airport (T-3 and 1-D terminals) may also be opposed by some of the airlines.