Airport filming restricted across India

The aviation regulator has tightened norms regarding photography and video recording inside Indian airports. Passengers who click pictures or shoot videos in restricted areas without official permission now face serious penalties, reports the Times of India.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) introduced these measures following a rise in social media content creation by travellers. Many reels, vlogs, and behind-the-scenes clips have unintentionally revealed sensitive details about security setups, staff movements, and surveillance systems. Officials believe this could compromise safety.

According to the new guidelines, security staff can immediately intervene if someone is found filming in a prohibited zone. Consequences range from ordering deletion of the footage and imposing fines to seizing phones or cameras for further inquiry. In extreme cases, where rules are repeatedly broken or critical security information is recorded, the offender’s name may be recommended for inclusion in the DGCA’s no-fly list.

Those planning commercial shoots, advertisements, documentaries, or paid influencer content must seek advance clearance from airport management and security agencies. No such activity will be allowed without proper authorisation.

For ordinary travellers, the message is clear: recording holiday memories is fine, but not at the cost of airport security. “A short clip could lead to much bigger trouble than a viral post,” the DGCA cautioned, urging passengers to stay aware of restricted zones before taking out their phones.