Hyderabad: With airlines issuing advisories to passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to departure of their flights due to heightened security situations, flyers at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) are readjusting their routines.
Preeti Sinha, a software engineer and frequent flyer, said, “It’s a good precaution, Usually people reach two hours early, but with the current situation, reaching three hours before makes sense. The gates close 75 minutes before departure now, so the margin for error is less. Travel companies are also supporting us with real time alerts and help if evacuations are needed.”
For some, the added wait time is not a hassle but an opportunity. Ajay Malhotra said, “I usually arrive two hours early anyway. This doesn’t change much. After check-in, I explore the airport, get a coffee or just catch up on work. And honestly, if I come late and there’s an issue with my check-in, I’m the one who will suffer. So I prefer being early.”
Sneha who was flying to Bengaluru, said, “I thought there would be chaos at the airport with everyone coming early, but it was actually calm. I had enough space in the waiting area.”
While the terminals may see more early arrivals, RGIA officials say crowding isn’t a major concern right now. There hasn’t been much rush because many flights, especially those to and from the north have been cancelled. “The overall operations are smooth inside the terminal,” an official said.
However, security has been tightened at various airports. A CISF official said, “We have seen more passengers arriving well before time. Given the current advisory, our security checks are more thorough. Apart from the standard screening, there is now an additional hand baggage check before boarding.”
The early arrival advisory seems to be more about precaution than panic. Flyers are cautious and are choosing to follow the advisory.
Meanwhile, major airlines like IndiGo, Spicejet and Air India late on Friday extended the cancellation of several flights to and from northern India like Srinagar, Jammu, Leh, Amritsar and Chandigarh, Dharamshala, Rajkot, Jodhpur until 5.29 am of May 15. It was not clear if the orders would be rescinded following the announcement of a ceasefire.
Earlier, flight operations to the affected regions were cancelled until 5.29 am of May 10.
Passengers scheduled to travel to or from the affected cities are advised to check their airline’s website or contact customer support for latest updates.
