Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Civil Aviation
28-March-2014
SoP for Screening of Passengers with Special Needs and Medical Conditions
Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has issued procedure for screening of
passengers and carry - on baggage vide Circular No. 23/2005. The procedure
for screening of persons with special needs including differently - abled
passengers and passengers with medical condition, has been described in the
said circular. The Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) is laid down in the
following paragraphs, prescribing the guidelines for screening of such
passengers and devices, appliances and carry-ons pertaining to them.
The provisions contained in this SOP shall be applicable to the following:
(i) All Indian airlines/ carriers engaged in scheduled and
non-scheduled air transport services both domestic and international;
(ii) All foreign airlines/ carriers engaged in scheduled air
transport operating to and from Indian Territory.
(iii) All airport operators, including private/JVs, within Indian
Territory.
(iv) Aviation Security Group (ASG) / CISF / APSU deployed at airports.
I Person with disability means any individual who has a physical
or mental impairment that, on a permanent or temporary basis, substantially
limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment,
or is regarded as having such impairment.
(a) Physical or mental impairment means:
(1) any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement,
or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems:
neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory including
speech organs, cardio-vascular, reproductive, digestive, genito-urinary,
hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine; or
(2) any mental or psychological disorder, such as mental retardation,
organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning
disabilities.
The term physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such
diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech, and hearing
impairments; cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple
sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional
illness, autism, drug addiction, alcoholism and geriatric disabilities.
(b) Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's
self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning and working.
(c) Has a record of such impairment means has a history of, or has
been classified, or misclassified, as having a mental or physical impairment
that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
II. A person with reduced mobility (PRM) means any person whose
mobility when using transport is reduced due to any physical disability
(sensory or locomotor permanent or temporary), intellectual disability or
impairment, or any other cause of disability, or age, and whose situation
needs appropriate attention and the adaptation to his or her particular
needs of the service made available to all passengers.
III. Incapacitated passengers are those with physical or mental
disability or with a medical condition, who require individual attention or
assistance on emplaning/
All airport operators should make special arrangements to facilitate
screening of persons with special needs as above so that the process is
carried out efficiently keeping the dignity and privacy of the passenger in
mind while ensuring adequate level of screening. This will include provision
of suitable enclosed space for private screening of passengers covered in
this SoP.
The airport management/representative of air carrier shall provide wheel
chairs and render necessary assistance to facilitate the movement of the
persons with special needs, when required. However, they would not normally
be directly taken to the aircraft, except in case of ambulance passengers.
While thorough checking is essential and the directives under AVSEC circular
No. 23/2005 will be followed in letter and spirit, courtesy and attention to
privacy and dignity will be invariably observed.
In the case of a passenger having difficulty in walking or standing, the way
his or her screening is conducted will depend on his or her level of
ability/disability.
If a passenger has difficulty standing or waiting in line due to a
disability or a medical condition, he/ she should duly inform the screening
personnel who will assist in directing the passenger either to front of the
queue or to a separate line. Passengers should be encouraged to indicate
brief details of their disability at the time of booking of the ticket
itself and in case of such prior information, airlines and security staff
shall make advance preparation for such passengers.
Medical documentation is helpful but not essential.
Canes, crutches and other devices which can be separated from the passengers
should be subjected to x ray screening.
Wherever testing is done for detection of explosives, in addition to
ETD, help of dog squad may be taken as per need. However, sensitivity of
passenger and religious considerations may be kept in mind.
The procedure laid down herein is not exhaustive, and therefore, in the
situations/ circumstances not exclusively dealt with in this SoP,
commonsense of the screener shall prevail depending upon the situation,
circumstances and condition of the passenger. For example, special procedure
may be devised for persons with autism, down syndrome etc. The paramount
importance is to ensure aviation security and at the same time safeguarding
dignity of the passengers and preserving privacy.
Screening of passengers who use wheel chair or scooters (i.e. self - driven
wheel chair)
1. When a passenger arrives at a screening point in a wheel chair /
scooter, he/she must be accompanied either by another travelling passenger
or an airline representative (including GHA of the airline) before he
proceeds through security. The accompanying passenger or the airline
representative is responsible for the passenger throughout the whole process
of screening.
2. If a passenger arrives at a screening point in a wheelchair and
he/she is not accompanied by another travelling passenger or an airline
representative, the airline's Customer Service should be contacted for
assistance.
3. At the screening point, depending upon the ability of the passenger
to walk, he/she will be requested to walk through the DFMD unaided. If
he/she cannot walk, it is the responsibility of the accompanying travelling
passenger or the airline representative to push the passenger in the
wheelchair unless it is self - driven.
4. In accordance with Airlines' policy, there may also be non
travelling support personnel in attendance to board the aircraft and lift
the passenger into his/ her seat. This support person must be accompanied by
the airline representative.
5. If there is a requirement for the passenger to be lifted at the
screening point, the support person or the airline representative will
perform the lifting for the passenger.
6. The support person will be escorted by an Airline representative at
the time of boarding/ disembarkation.
7. If the passenger can stand but cannot walk, he/she can be screened
by undergoing a pat-down while he/she stands beside the wheelchair or
scooter.
8. If a passenger cannot stand, he/she should be offered a chair for
screening and subjected to a pat-down thereafter.
9. If there is an alarm by the DFMD, HHMD or other technology, the same
must be resolved. If the alarm cannot be resolved, the passenger will not be
permitted beyond the checkpoint.
10. The passenger's wheelchair or scooter will be inspected, including the
seat cushions and any pouches/ pockets. It will be tested for traces of
explosives. Removable pouches will be x-ray screened.
11. Any carry - on bag or document with the wheelchair passenger shall be
passed through the x-ray screening.
12. If a person objects to proceeding through the DFMD on justified medical
or other ground, he/ she will be allowed passage through alternative way by
the frisking officer and then subjected to screening by pat down search and
HHMD where permissible.
13. If a person refuses to undergo screening, the frisking officer will
inform the supervisor, who will direct what further action is to be taken.
The concerned passenger will not be allowed entry past the screening point.
14. Only when satisfied that a person is not carrying any prohibited or
dangerous article, the screening officer shall allow the person to proceed
beyond the screening point.
Screening of passenger with prosthetics
1. During screening of prosthetics ASG/APSU may use X-ray. ETD and
visual check depending on the circumstances.
2. The passenger should inform the ASG/APSU of the existence of a
prosthetic, his or her ability and of any need for assistance before
screening begins. Passengers can use Notification Card to communicate
discreetly with security officers. However, showing this card or other
medical documentation will not exempt a passenger from additional screening
when necessary.
3. Dignity and privacy of the passengers should be borne in mind during
the entire process of security screening. Where the officer needs to see the
prosthetic, care should be taken against exposing any sensitive areas.
ASG/APSU will also use technology to test the prosthetic for traces of
explosive material. If explosive material is detected, the passenger will
have to undergo additional screening.
4. Passenger with prosthetics or braces/support appliances must be
accompanied by an airline representative, preferable of the same gender as
the passenger.
5. The staff of airline and any other accompanying person shall be
frisked and checked before allowing them access to the passenger with
prosthetics at the screening point.
6. The passenger will first pass through the DFMD and necessary
security checks.
7. The passenger should then be taken to a private screening point and
made to sit comfortably. He/she will receive additional screening including
a pat-down. If necessary, screening through ETD trace will be adopted. While
dealing with prosthetic device and during taking off and putting on of
clothes, privacy of the passenger should be maintained.
8. Screening of the prosthetic appliance will include x-ray screening,
ETD detection and visual inspection. During visual inspection, care should
be taken that sensitive parts are not exposed.
9. The screening in the private screening area will be carried out by
two officials, one to handle to HHMD and pat-down and the other to inspect
the prosthetics, braces and support appliance and subject them to additional
screening.
Screening of passengers who cannot remove shoes, medical device or bandages
1. Passengers who cannot remove their shoes due to a medical condition
should inform the supervisor, SHA before screening.
2. Passenger can be screened using DFMD and/ or a whole - body pat -
down.
3. The shoes may be subjected to additional screening like ETD, etc.
4. Passengers can be screened without disconnecting external medical
devices and submitting them for x-ray. Such devices include Insulin pumps,
Hearing aids, Cochlear implants, Spinal stimulators, Bone growth stimulators
and Ostomies.
5. Under most circumstances, a passenger can conduct a self pat-down of
these devices followed by ETD screening of his/ her hands.
6. The devices should also be physically checked against any outside
interference in the manufacturing.
7. Casts, braces and support appliances will be thoroughly inspected
without exposing sensitive areas as far as possible. ETD screening will
also be used to test for traces of explosive materials, where possible.
8. In case of bandages and/ or dressing, while caution will be observed
during pat-down, it needs to be ensured that the covered area is free of
threat item. Metal detector, observation and self pat-down followed by ETD
checks may suffice in most cases.
9. Passengers with metal implants will be subjected to a thorough
pat-down, and the metal alarm should be resolved satisfactorily. The full
body pat down should include the following:
i. It should concentrate on
upper legs and torso.
ii. Special attention should be
given to the chest and abdomen areas of the body.
iii. Particular focus should be
on any skin surface abnormalities or wires or tubes exiting the body that
may be signs of an implanted device.
10. In accordance with BCAS memo. no. CAS - 3 (32)/ 2009/ DIV - III B (SA
Kolkata) dt 5.9.2010, all airport operators shall display a board near SHA
in a prominent way stating that DFMD/ HHMD are safe for pacemaker and for
pregnant ladies.
Screening of passengers with service animals:
If the passenger has a service animal, the instructions issued by AVSEC
circular no. 6/2001 shall be implemented. If the service animal is permitted
to be carried on board the following
instructions shall be followed.
a. The animal must be wearing a harness, vest, or other
identifier that it is a service animal.
b. The passenger must maintain control of the animal at all
times.
c. He or she should not be separated from the service animal.
d. The screening officer should ask for permission of the
passenger before touching the animal.
e. Service animals are screened using walk through metal
detector followed by a pat down. There are three options:
i. The service animal
goes first and the passenger follows holding the leash.
ii. The passenger goes
first holding the leash and the service animal follows.
iii. The passenger and the
service animal go together.
f. Regardless of who goes through the metal detector first,
the screening officer will perform a physical inspection of the animal and
its belongings (collar, harness, leash, backpack, vest, etc.). The
belongings will not be removed from the animal.
g. The passenger should not make contact with service animal
(other than maintain control of the leash) until the animal has been
cleared.
h. Medication for serving animals will be subjected to x - ray
and other screening, if required, separately. These also should be separated
from other items in the passenger carry-on.
Ambulance passengers
Due to exigencies of their exceptional medical conditions/ illness, some
passengers are directly taken through the security gates to the aircraft for
boarding. In such cases, as far as possible, the airport operator/ airline
should provide its own ambulance.
a. The passenger and all occupants of the vehicle should be
subjected to a pre - embarkation security check at the security gate by the
ASG/ APSU staff under the supervision of an officer not below the rank of an
Inspector. The ambulance should be permitted to proceed to the aircraft only
after this check has been completed.
b. In case the ambulance is privately owned or hospital provided,
it must be led by follow - me vehicle of the airport operator. The ASG/ APSU
staff shall check to ensure that the vehicles do not carry anything
objectionable and are not being accompanied by unauthorized persons or
persons who have no need to be in the vehicles. Such ambulance will be
escorted by ASG/APSU staff.
c. All occupants of the vehicles, unless exempted, must be
screened at the gate before allowing entry into the airport.
d. The movement of the ambulance should be coordinated well in
advance by the airline operator with CASO and airport operator.
Screening of medication and associated supplies
a. All medications and associated supplies (i.e., syringes,
sharps disposal container, pens, infusers etc.) are allowed through the
checkpoint only after they have been screened.
b. Medication and related supplies are normally x - rayed.
c. Passengers have the option of requesting a visual inspection
of medications and associated supplies with due reason.
d. Any medication that cannot be cleared visually must be
submitted for x - ray screening.
e. BCAS has issued detailed guidelines regarding carriage of
liquids, aerosols and gel (LAGs) on board vide AVSEC Circular No. 18/ 2006.
Medically necessary LAGs are permitted in excess of 100 ml on need basis
after they have been screened. These items are subject to additional
screening through visual inspection and ETD swipe, if necessary.
If a passenger has medically necessary LAGs, he or she needs to :
i. Limit the amount to what
is reasonably necessary for the itinerary;
ii. Separate these items from
the other LAGs;
iii. Declare the items; and,
iv. Present these items for
additional inspection on reaching the security check point.
X-ray screening of respiratory equipment
a. Supplemental oxygen and other respiratory related equipment are
permitted through the checkpoint once they have been screened. This is
subject to DGCA regulations also.
b. If a passenger can disconnect from the oxygen, the oxygen container
will undergo x - ray screening.
c. Passengers who cannot disconnect from respiratory equipment will be
screened by undergoing a pat - down.
d. Respiratory equipment that is not x - rayed will be visually and
physically inspected, and will be subject to ETD screening.
*****
UM/SA/IK
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