Citing security reasons, Jet Airways on Thursday advised its passengers to report two hours before their flight time, saying the check-in will close 45 minutes before departure, even as a fliers' body termed this decision as "impractical".
"In view of enhanced security measures implemented at all airports by the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security", the private carrier advised passengers "to report two hours prior to the departure of the flight.
The check-in counters for domestic flights will be closed 45 minutes prior to departure and boarding gates will be closed 25 minutes prior to departure as per existing procedures."
A Jet airways spokesperson said this measure will help passengers in avoiding congestion at airports and the flights will depart on time. But the move came under attack from the Air Passengers Association of India (APAI), which termed the decision as "ridiculous and impractical".
Maintaining that the airline was "only trying to play safe", APAI National President D Sudhakar Reddy said "this way, a passenger will have to spend his entire day at the airport.
For a one-hour flight, he will have to spend much more time at the airport than the flying time". The DGCA had issued rules two months ago to allow domestic airlines to close check-in counters 45 minutes before flight departure.