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E-tickets a security threat at airports?

MUMBAI: E-tickets that can be bought with the click of a button and are fast becoming the norm across the country pose a security threat that airports are grappling with. It was only recently that the ministry of civil aviation discovered that people have found a way to beat the security system and enter an airport without a genuine ticket. For example, once a person purchases a ticket online, he gets a copy of it mailed to his inbox, which remains even after he cancels the ticket. By simply printing it out and presenting it to the airport security guards, a person can gain entry into a terminal. This year, nine such cases have been reported at Mumbai, Delhi and Calicut airports. Of these, five were detected at Delhi and two in Mumbai. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) handed over the two Mumbai intruders to the police, where they were let off with a fine of Rs 1,200. Dilip Patil, senior police inspector, Sahar police station, said: "Punishment varies from case to case and is determined by the circumstances and the intention of the person involved." Security officials believe that the number of people misusing e-tickets may be higher as not all cases are easily detectable. The crime, which officials say is a serious breach of security, has prompted ministry of civil aviation to issue a letter oto CISF officials to check and interrogate people who exit the terminal premises. The letter, dated May 31, 2010, says that, it is necessary to strictly implement exit control measures. Internationally, all e-tickets are bar-coded and validated at the airports entry point. In India, however, passengers are allowed access to the airport merely by producing the e-ticket along with a proof of identity. At the airport entry point, there is no way to ascertain whether the e-ticket produced by the passenger is genuine. "If the name on the ticket matches the identity proof shown to us, we have to let them inside the terminal building," said a senior CISF official. A person need not even go through the trouble of booking and cancelling a ticket. It's possible to download an old ticket and change flight details, the name of the person, etc, he added. A fake e-ticket can get a person entry only up to the check-in counter and not beyond. But even unchecked entry into this part of the terminal for motives other than boarding a flight is not a small breach. Motives vary from simply trying to gain entry into the terminal building to see off a friend or family member, to theft.

                                                                                                               
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