New improved luggage handling system at IGI

New Delhi, June 18 (UNI) A new baggage handling system which facilitates a convenient, seamless transition of baggage from passenger to plane without the need of separately screening it before check-in has been commissioned at the IGI Airport.

The new in-line process, designed to speed up the passengers' pre-departure process and provide convenience without compromising security, has been commissioned by the Delhi International Airport (P) Limited (DIAL) for two of the eight rows at the International Terminal (T2) of the Indira Gandhi International Airport from June 15, DIAL sources said.

Being introduced as a part of DIAL's efforts to improve facilities at Terminals for passenger convenience, the new system includes a combination of conveyor belts, bar code readers and in-line baggage sorters, which in comparison to the existing practice, allows passengers to proceed straight to the check-in counters and receive their boarding pass while the baggage gets checked and assigned automatically.

The new system will be gradually extended to the remaining rows at the International Terminal (T2) of Indira Gandhi International Airport, the sources said.

The in-line baggage handling system was commissioned post more than six weeks of parallel trial runs with the existing x-ray screening systems. The trial period provides an opportunity for further improvements to be identified and removal of glitches before the system is fully operated for the public.

This system will not only provide faster check-in and convenience for passengers but provide an enhanced level of security technology.

To accomplish this, a three-level scanning process is installed which will ensure that the luggage is fully screened and marked along the way.

As the passenger deposits his/her baggage at the check-in counter - a modular system weighs and transports the luggage onto a conveyor belt.

Once the baggage is assigned a position on the belt conveyor, it proceeds to a security check point where every bag travels through a scanning system that combines manual and electronic surveillance with X-ray and explosive detection equipment monitored by the staff, who are certified Security Screeners.

Any bag which require further investigation is removed from the in-feed by high-speed sorting conveyors that deliver bags to an off-line inspection area. Only those passengers, whose baggage is brought to the inspection area, need to be present for the manual inspection.

The In-line baggage system will thus help passengers save time, as they will not have to queue up for pre check-in luggage x-ray process any more.

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