India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has introduced stricter documentation requirements for photography activities inside airport security hold areas and tarmacs, directing airport operators to preserve related records for at least three years.
The move adds another compliance layer to aviation security procedures at Indian airports and comes amid growing scrutiny around access control, airside activity monitoring and operational transparency across critical aviation infrastructure.
According to a circular issued by the DGCA to aerodrome operators, records associated with authorised photography conducted within restricted airport zones must be maintained and made available whenever demanded for inspection.
The requirement applies to photographs taken inside security hold areas and on airport tarmacs under permissions granted in accordance with existing aviation rules.
Under Rule 13 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, airport operators are permitted to allow photography in designated restricted areas subject to specific conditions and approvals.
The latest DGCA directive now formalises how those permissions and associated records must be archived.
The circular, dated April 28, stated:
“The records of photography shall be maintained for a period of three years and shall be produced for inspection to the DGCA upon demand.”
Industry sources told PTI that airport operators have now been instructed to systematically retain records connected to authorised photography activities to strengthen oversight and inspection readiness.
The order applies to photography conducted at:
The new requirement is expected to affect operational record management systems across airports, especially those handling high passenger traffic and frequent media, corporate or promotional access requests.
The DGCA circular does not alter existing restrictions governing passenger photography inside operational airport zones.
Passengers are currently prohibited from taking photographs inside security hold areas and on airport tarmacs.
Only authorised photography activities permitted through airport operators can be conducted under prescribed conditions.
As part of the existing framework:
The rules are designed to ensure that access to operational aircraft movement areas remains tightly monitored while allowing controlled photography for approved purposes.
The directive reflects the aviation regulator’s increasing focus on documentation, traceability and inspection preparedness across India’s airport network.
India currently has 163 operational airports, according to data available on the civil aviation ministry’s website. Many of these facilities handle photography requests linked to airline launches, aircraft deliveries, promotional campaigns, government visits, aviation events and infrastructure documentation.
Security hold areas and tarmacs are considered highly sensitive operational environments because they involve direct proximity to aircraft movements, passenger flows, baggage systems and security infrastructure.
Aviation security experts note that maintaining archival records of authorised photography can help regulators verify compliance, review access histories and support investigations if required.
The order also aligns with broader global aviation security trends where regulators are strengthening surveillance and audit capabilities within restricted airport zones.
The new record retention requirement is expected to push airport operators towards more structured documentation procedures.
Industry executives say operators may now need to maintain:
Large airports with extensive media activity and airline operations are likely to integrate the new requirements into digital access management systems and security audit processes.
The directive may also increase coordination between airport operators, airline security teams and BCAS officials during approvals for photography inside restricted zones.
India’s aviation ecosystem has undergone significant regulatory tightening over the past decade as passenger traffic, airport infrastructure and airline operations continue expanding rapidly.
Authorities have steadily strengthened protocols related to:
The latest DGCA directive adds photography records to that growing compliance framework.
While the order may appear administrative on the surface, it signals how regulators are increasingly treating operational documentation as part of broader aviation security architecture.
As India expands airport capacity and modernises aviation infrastructure, regulators are expected to place greater emphasis on traceability, accountability and controlled access across all sensitive airport zones.
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