Glossary & abbreviations

Access control — Checking passes so only allowed people enter a zone.

Airport Entry Pass (AEP) — The ID card that lets a worker into certain airport areas.

Airside — The secure part of the airport near the runway and aircraft (staff only).

Aviation Security (AVSEC) — Keeping planes, passengers, staff and airports safe from harm.

Bomb threat — A message warning of a bomb — real or hoax; always take it seriously.

Cabin baggage — The bag you carry onto the plane with you.

Cargo — Goods sent by air on the flight, not passenger bags.

Chain of custody — An unbroken record of who handled a screened item, so it can't be tampered with.

Check-in (hold) baggage — The bag that travels in the plane's hold, below the cabin.

Cockpit — The front cabin where pilots fly the plane; a protected area.

Compressed gas — Gas squeezed into a cylinder; can burst or explode if heated.

Cordon — A ring kept clear around a threat or scene so no one goes near it.

Corrosive — Can burn skin or eat through metal.

Dangerous Goods (DG) — Items that can catch fire, explode, poison, or leak during a flight.

Denial of boarding — Refusing to let a person or bag onto the flight.

Detonator — A small device that sets off a bomb.

Deterrence — Visible security that puts attackers off even trying.

Evacuate — Leave an area quickly and safely when told.

Explosive — Material that can blow up.

Firearm — A gun.

Flammable — Catches fire easily.

Hazard label / placard — A coloured diamond symbol that warns what a dangerous good is.

Hijacking — Taking control of an aircraft by force.

Improvised weapon — An everyday object used to hurt someone (pen, belt, bottle).

Infectious substance — Material carrying germs that can cause disease.

Insider threat — A staff member who misuses their airport access.

Known Consignor — A trusted shipper whose cargo is already secured before it reaches the airport.

Landside — The public part of the airport before security (anyone may enter).

Lithium battery — The power source in phones and power banks; a fire risk if damaged.

Manifest — The official list of who and what is on a flight.

Oxidizer — Makes a fire burn stronger.

Pat-down (frisking) — A hand check by an officer when a machine beeps.

Perimeter — The outer fence line around the airport.

Positive passenger-baggage reconciliation — A hold bag flies only if its owner is on board the same plane.

Power bank — A portable battery; carry it in the cabin, never in a hold bag.

Profiling — Judging risk from behaviour, not from race or religion.

Prohibited item — A thing not allowed past security (knife, gun, sharp tool).

Radioactive — Gives off harmful, invisible rays.

Ramp / Apron — The ground area where aircraft park, load and refuel.

Regulated Agent — An approved company that screens and secures air cargo.

Restricted area — A zone only certain staff may enter, using an AEP.

Sabotage — Damaging an aircraft or system on purpose.

Screening — Checking people and bags for weapons, explosives, or dangerous goods.

Secondary screening — A deeper second check after the first one flags a doubt.

Shipper — The person or company sending cargo.

Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) — The fixed steps staff must follow for a task.

Standoff distance — The safe gap to keep from a suspected bomb.

Sterile area — The screened side of security; only checked people and bags are allowed in.

Suspicious item — An object that looks out of place — report it, never touch it.

Tailgating — Following someone through a secure door without your own pass.

Toxic — Poisonous; can harm if breathed in or swallowed.

UN number — A 4-digit code that names a specific dangerous chemical.

Unattended baggage — A bag left alone with no owner nearby — report it, never touch it.

Unlawful interference — Any illegal act that threatens aviation safety (hijack, bomb, sabotage).

Vigilance — Staying alert so you notice a threat early.

AAI — Airports Authority of India: runs many Indian airports

AEP — Airport Entry Pass: staff ID for restricted areas

Annex 17 — ICAO Annex 17 (Security): the world's aviation-security rulebook

ASP — Airport Security Programme: one airport's own written security plan

AVSEC — Aviation Security: keeping aviation safe

BCAS — Bureau of Civil Aviation Security: makes India's airport security rules

BDDS — Bomb Detection & Disposal Squad: team that finds and defuses bombs

BDO — Behaviour Detection Officer: staff trained to spot suspicious behaviour

CCTV — Closed-Circuit Television: security cameras that watch and record

CISF — Central Industrial Security Force: guards airports, checks bags & people

CP — Contingency Plan: a ready-made plan for an emergency

CT — Computed Tomography: 3-D X-ray for a detailed bag scan

DFMD — Door Frame Metal Detector: another name for the walk-through archway

DG — Dangerous Goods: items risky to carry by air

DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation: airline safety & licensing

DGR — Dangerous Goods Regulations: the rulebook for shipping DG

EDS — Explosive Detection System: machine that auto-flags possible bombs

ETD — Explosive Trace Detection: swab-and-analyse method that finds explosive traces

FOD — Foreign Object Debris: loose junk on the ramp that can damage aircraft

HHMD — Hand-Held Metal Detector: the wand for body checks

IATA — International Air Transport Association: airline body; DG classes come from here

ICAO — International Civil Aviation Organization: sets world aviation standards

IED — Improvised Explosive Device: a home-made or hidden bomb

LAGs — Liquids, Aerosols and Gels: the 100 ml cabin liquids rule

LEDS — Liquid Explosive Detection System: checks if a liquid is dangerous

MoCA — Ministry of Civil Aviation: top government body over Indian aviation

NCASP — National Civil Aviation Security Programme: India's master security rulebook

NOTOC — Notification to Captain: note telling the pilot what DG is on board

OJT — On-the-Job Training: learning a task while doing it at work

PAX — Passengers: people flying

PED — Portable Electronic Device: phones, laptops, power banks

PSN — Proper Shipping Name: the official name of a dangerous good

QRT — Quick Reaction Team: armed team that responds fast to a threat

SDS — Safety Data Sheet (also MSDS): sheet listing a chemical's dangers & handling

SMS — Safety Management System: system to spot and control safety risks

SRA — Security Restricted Area: the most controlled staff zone

ULD — Unit Load Device: the container or pallet that holds cargo in the hold

WTMD — Walk-Through Metal Detector: the archway that beeps at metal

XBIS — X-ray Baggage Inspection System: the bag X-ray machine