New Delhi, Oct 2 (TIWN): India is set to strengthen airport security following a serious incident involving a Flydubai flight that raised concerns over cockpit security and the safety of passengers.

The government plans to introduce mandatory facial recognition checks for airport and airline employees and accelerate the deployment of full-body scanners at major airports.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) is working to make airport entry permits fully digital and link them with facial biometric verification. The system is expected to cover around 15 lakh airport staff and other personnel who receive airport entry permits each year.

The government is also fast-tracking the installation of full-body scanners at eight major airports. Officials said scanners have already been delivered to three airports, while the remaining locations are expected to receive them soon.

Full-body scanners can help detect concealed objects, including certain non-metallic items, without requiring physical frisking. Officials have also said the scanners will display a generic body image rather than detailed images of passengers, helping address privacy concerns.

The security measures follow a serious incident on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30, when the co-pilot reportedly attacked the captain inside the cockpit. A struggle reportedly followed during the flight, before other crew members intervened. The aircraft later landed safely in Saudi Arabia.

Indian authorities are now looking to strengthen airport access controls, improve identity verification and expand screening systems as part of wider efforts to enhance aviation security across the country.