MUMBAI: Mumbai Airport Customs on Tuesday sealed the offices of Airport Health Organisation (APHO), Air India and Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) inline baggage, as they are located just before the green channel raising security concerns. However, the airline’s office was unsealed after a few hours.
Sources from the customs department claimed that the step was taken after GVK, which operates Mumbai airport, didn’t act on the repeated warnings sent by them.
Mumbai Airport Customs had written to GVK in September asking them to shift the Air India and the APHO offices after the green channel. They had also sent four reminders. “After no steps were taken despite a final warning letter sent on December 21, we sealed the offices exactly after a week later,” said a customs official.
When asked about their office, MIAL spokesperson replied saying, “Our office is at the departure area. The office in question is operated by Air India and was closed only for a few hours.
Customs has asked to change the current entrance as it falls in the area reserved for customs. Consequently, customs sealed the said office for a few hours and re-opened the same on receiving assurance of compliance. The location of the office will remain the same, but a new access will be created in a couple of weeks.”
But the customs had a different story to tell. “We had sealed three offices, however, Air India’s workplace was unsealed after few hours as their officials assured that required changes will be made within a week. But APHO and MIAL offices continue to be sealed,” said the official confirming that they had sealed three different offices.
The area before green channel is considered sterile. Offices are not allowed to operate there. “The GVK and these offices have shown a casual approach in obeying the customs notices,” added one of the top Custom Officials from Mumbai Airport.
