Thiruvananthapuram, Saturday 23 January 2009: Security has been tightened at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport in view of the nation-wide alert sounded in the wake of the intelligence inputs that Pakistan-based LeT and Al-Qaeda-linked terrorists are likely to target Indian carriers.

A contingency plan has been put into effect and the entry of the public into the visitor’s gallery at the terminal building has been banned till January 31.

Airport sources said special meetings were held and instructions had been in view of the alert sounded by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

Several security measures, including secondary ladder point checks to frisk the passengers before they board the aircraft, have been put in place. Airport sources said although there were no restrictions on the entry of vehicles into the airport, a vigil was being maintained on the movement of people.