| Complaint filed by | |
| Complaint filed on | September 15th, 2024 |
| Complaint filed against | Security at Mumbai Airport |
- Text of Complaint by Geetashree jayprakash Gholap
Good evening
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to express my serious concern regarding an incident that occurred at Mumbai Airport while traveling on Air France flight AF217 on September 6th.
On September 5th, around 9:30 PM, after completing my check-in, I proceeded to the security area with my son’s beloved toy—a remote-controlled dinosaur. To our shock, we were informed that we could not take the toy on board as it was classified as a reptile replica that could potentially frighten other passengers. I want to emphasize that this toy is not intimidating in any way, and it has been transported without issue on multiple occasions between London and India.
In an attempt to resolve the matter, I requested to speak with a higher authority and was directed to an officer. This officer referenced a book indicating that reptile replicas were prohibited. Despite our explanation that the toy does not represent a real reptile and poses no threat, he remained inflexible, which was distressing for my child, who was visibly upset and pleading to speak with the officer again in hopes of retrieving his toy.
Adding to my confusion is the apparent inconsistency of this rule. I later discovered that the same remote-controlled dinosaur is available for sale in the duty-free shop at the airport. This leads me to question how an item deemed acceptable for sale can be prohibited for personal use. For your reference, I have attached a photo of the dinosaur sold in duty-free.
I would appreciate clarification on how we are expected to be aware of such regulations, especially when they are not clearly stated on the Mumbai airport website or any accessible guidelines. Additionally, while I was informed that toys with built-in batteries should not be checked in, the security officer insisted that I should place the toy in checked luggage, which contradicts the information I received.
This experience has been not only frustrating but also traumatic for my child, and I believe it is essential for this matter to be addressed seriously. I request a thorough review of this incident and would appreciate your prompt attention and action to ensure that similar situations do not arise in the future.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and assistance in resolving this issue. Please feel free to contact me for any further information required.
Sincerely
Geetashree Gholap
geetgholap@gmail.com
