VVIP ‘baggage’ strands passengers for hours

By Rathindra Kuruwita
Pandemonium raged at the Bandaranaike International Airport yesterday after hundreds of passengers were left stranded without their luggage due to strict security measures adopted at the airport owing to the arrival of Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Passengers of several flights that followed President Gayoom’s flight were kept waiting for hours since they were not allowed to enter the baggage claim area as a security precaution.

An officer at the airport told The Bottom Line that it was customary for airport officials to close off the area when a VIP arrives.

“We restricted access to the baggage claim area for some time to accommodate activities connected with the Maldivian President’s visit. Due to closing off the area, passengers of several following flights had to wait for more than an hour, but this is standard procedure we follow to ensure the safety of the VIP,” he said. He added that another reason for barring the area was for the safety of the passengers itself, owing to a gun salute and other activities involving the military.