Security
Cochin International Airport is listed among the 12 major airports of India and the safety and security of the airport is handled by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security through the Central Industrial Security Force#Airport security (CISF). Cochin airport was the third international airport, and the first private airport, in the country to come under the cover of CISF in 2001, after the Central Government decided to hand over airport security to CISF in the wake of the hijacking of Indian Airlines IC-814. Security was handled by the Special Branch of Kochi Police prior to the CISF. The airport company's Aviation Safety Wing (ASW) oversees security facilities and equipment. The ASW is also responsible for the fire and emergency services.
CIAL is the only airport in the country with internally trained private security agents, specializing in intelligence gathering and passenger profiling. Security management training is provided by CIAL's Aviation Academy and personnel are employed by the company as security agents; deployed in baggage screening rooms, entry gates, the general cargo area, and the lounge areas. CIAL ASW also employs Army-trained sniffer dogs to check for explosives in baggage areas, the only Indian airport to have such a facility. CIAL has also introduced 3 state-of-the-art ION scanning detectors that can identify small amounts of material, down to nanograms of explosives. The external security in parking areas, visitors lounges, cafes and other non-sensitive areas outside the terminal are handled by a private security company.
The airport is under the direct protection of the Kochi City Police, who have a police station outside the terminal. CISF maintains 2 armed squadrons and one Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad. CISF also has a command center located 250 metres outside the terminal, with an intelligence division and mobilization cell. The Air Customs division also operates a narcotics detection squad in the terminal. The CIAL ASWs are working on installing a fully automated perimeter intrusion detection system that will detect any possible intrusion on the perimeter of the airport, using sensors that will provide critical time for the security forces to react. Phase one of the intrusion prevention system is in place with barricades, automatic retractable bollards, surveillance cameras, parking gate management systems and the introduction of biometric ID cards for staff. The immigration department is handled by Special Branch officials trained by the Bureau of Immigration.
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