Airline followed rules,India’s VIP list irrelevant: US

Referring to India’s list which exempts VIPs and their spouses from pre-board screening procedures,the TSA said that “such a list does not mirror US requirements for passengers that are exempted from pre-board screening when traveling aboard US commercial aircraft.”

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had referred to this list when he called for “stringent action” against the airline.

The US agency also clarified that as per its rules,former Heads of State and other VIPs traveling from an international location to the US on a US commercial aircraft were “screened according to the same screening procedures as for any other passenger”.

“If requested,private screening can be provided,” the TSA said.

The TSA said that only “active Heads of State” travelling “under protective escort of the US Secret Service or “high level active foreign dignitaries under the protective escort of the US Diplomatic Security Service” and “vetted through the Department of State and TSA,” were exempted from the screening process.

For others,the TSA requires that all passengers and their “accessible property” are screened for any items listed on the prohibited items list,TSA spokesperson Andrea McCauley told The Indian Express.

“TSA has reviewed the circumstances of Dr Kalam’s travel and confirms that Continental Airlines implemented security measures in compliance with TSA regulations. TSA regrets any inconvenience that Dr Kalam may have experienced as a result of our standard security requirements,” the statement said.

Kalam,meanwhile,said in Kochi today that he had not received any apology from Continental Airlines so far. Kalam,according to his aide,neither objected to the security check nor complained about it. The political establishment,however,has been united in its outrage.