Domestic passengers can carry one cabin bag: CISF

Passengers flying domestic flights will only be allowed to carry only one bag inside the cabin of the aircraft, as the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has ordered airports and airlines to enforce the earlier Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) one-bag order.

The CISF has asked the airport operators and airlines to implement the order after it found that passengers flying with more than one cabin baggage are choking the security check-in counters at airports across the country.

“As per BCAS AVSEC Circular Nos. 06/2000 & Lt12000, no passenger should be permitted to carry more than one hand bag other than those items already listed in the circular including lady's bag,” CISF said in an order issued on Wednesday.

“However, it has been seen that passengers on an average carry 02-03 Nos of hand bags to the screening point. This has led to increased clearance time as well as delays, congestion in PESC point and inconvenience to passengers. It is therefore felt that enforcement of the aforesaid Circulars must be ensured by all stakeholders/airlines,” the order further read.

The CISF, which guards all key airports across the country, has asked all airlines to inform passengers by putting this message on boarding passes/tickets.

“All airlines may be directed suitably to inform passengers and to display "one hand bag rule' on their tickets/boarding passes very conspicuously,” read the order.

Airport operators have also been asked to inform passengers through hoardings.

“Airport Operators may be instructed to place hoarding/banner/board/ standees displaying the contents of the 'One hand bag Rule' near the check-in counters, vantage locations before SHA (security hold areas) at the airports, so that passengers get sensitized and if required, have an option to switch their extra hand bags to registered baggage,” the order read.