New aviation security guidelines standardise cargo movement, aim to boost India’s role as regional transshipment hub
India has announced a significant easing of cargo movement protocols at its airports, allowing the transfer of cargo and mail without the need for re-screening at transit points. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), under the Ministry of Civil Aviation, has issued revised security guidelines to streamline the process and bolster India’s ambitions to become a regional logistics hub.
The directive, issued as Addendum–II to AVSEC Circular No. 6/2024, introduces a unified framework for handling transfer shipments—across international-to-international, international-to-domestic, domestic-to-international, and domestic-to-domestic routes. It falls under the jurisdiction of the Aircraft (Security) Rules, 2023, and aims to reduce logistical delays, improve cost efficiency, and prevent unauthorised interference with cargo.
Airlines have long cited re-screening procedures at transfer airports as a major hindrance, increasing costs and diminishing operational speed. The new policy seeks to address those concerns by mandating the use of Transfer Cargo Security Hold Areas (TCSHAs), which are secured zones within an airport’s restricted area approved by the Director General of BCAS.
These TCSHAs must be operated either by regulated agents or by an airline’s own self-handling unit, with stringent requirements for surveillance, access control, and security oversight. Facilities are expected to have designated entry and exit points, screening setups for staff, secure storage, and constant CCTV monitoring. Cargo must also be escorted by authorised security personnel during transfer between aircraft and the TCSHA.
The new rules take immediate effect, though a transition period of three months has been provided. During this phase, existing procedures will remain in force to allow regulated agents and airline handlers sufficient time to set up the required infrastructure.
The move signals a push by Indian authorities to enhance the country’s aviation logistics framework, reduce procedural redundancies, and align with global best practices—strengthening India’s competitive edge in the cargo and transshipment sector.
