List of Indian Airports Where DGCA Bans Taking Photos, Video

A substantial and tough decision has been made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding air travel, introducing new guidelines in India. These new guidelines include a complete restriction on taking photos and videos of sensitive airports on the western borders of India. The news emerged a few days ago when a strict directive was enforced on flights that either took off from or landed at military air bases, as recording videos and taking photos in these highly sensitive areas poses a risk to national security. 

Here is the list of these Indian airports.

• Amritsar (ATQ)
• Jammu (IXJ)
• Srinagar (SXR)
• Jaisalmer (JSA)

Per the DGCA guidelines, these airports must implement these new rules or restrictions as soon as possible. Passengers are advised to keep the airplane's window shades closed during flight takeoff and landing at the selected airports and must not take photos and videos until they reach an altitude of 10,000 feet or the ground is not visible to them, completely putting the matter of national security at stake. 

It has been seen that in the past years, travelers have taken pictures and then posted them onto different social media about landing and plane takeoff to these highly sensitive areas that expose a lot of crucial information about the airbases that should be confidential to it since any terroristic body can take advantages from it and find out vital information posing a threat to the civilian. 

Photography/Videography: Permission Denied

DGCA has mandated that window shades remain down and clearly stated that passengers cannot take photos or videos at military airbases to lessen the risk or threats that could potentially compromise national security, because sometimes any such photos or videos can capture military activities, the layout of airbases, and highlight some susceptible areas. DGCA has also stated that anyone found violating the guidelines and rules will face strict legal action and may be considered an act supporting the risks to national security. 

Penalties for rule violations.

Those who violate these rules may face fines or other penalties as per the Indian civil aviation rules. All the respective airlines (flying in this zone: Amritsar, Jammu, Srinagar, and Jaisalmer) have been instructed to inform travelers about new regulations and the risks and consequences before and during the flight. All the airlines' cabin crew members will get special training on this.

Implementing necessary changes.

All the airlines departing and arriving at these airports must enforce these changes. The government and DGCA insist that travelers seriously consider these rules. They are also advised not to capture photos or videos during flights that involve military areas. Some passengers may be confused and have questions/queries; they can speak to the cabin crew.

• Every airline must make updates to standard protocols. 
• Must ensure all window shades remain down during takeoff and landing at the respective airports.
• Ground staff and cabin crew at these airports should be given special training.
• New rules, including the boarding gates and the aircraft cabin, must be shown everywhere.  
• Some airlines have already started integrating these safety regulations before takeoff.