Kempegowda Airport’s automation system to cut down passenger wait time

Oct 09, 2018: The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which operates the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, is all set to introduce automated passenger screening systems which will reduce wait time for people at security check-points. Even it will enable families to be screened together.

BIAL has collaborated with L3 Macdonald Humfrey (Automation) India Pvt Limited, a UK-headquartered technology developer, to introduce an automated tray retrieval system (ATRS). A trial run for the initiative was conducted in 2017.

“We can now process more passengers in a secure and controlled environment, improving overall operational efficiency and enhancing safety and security. In addition, passengers benefit from a quicker passage through security check-points,” said Javed Malik, COO, BIAL.

Once fully operational, the passenger screening capacity will increase by over 50 percent, as per airport officials. Smart lanes with ATR will automatically return empty trays to the preparation area for passengers to place their bags and belongings. Automated rollers will enable trays to move into the screening machine without needing passengers or staff to push their trays into X-Ray machines.

Trays, which can accommodate maximum-size cabin baggage, will be RFID-tagged and tracked from start to end, Laptops and laptop bags can be placed side-by-side in the same tray. A ‘reject’ lane will be created for baggage with suspicious items. They will be marked on the touch screen that will be displayed in remote screening room and the images will be available with the physical search officer too.

The first automated lanes will be installed at domestic and international check-points by the end of 2018. Existing manual lanes will be replaced in a phased manner and the project is scheduled to be completed by March 2019.