August 11, 2017 TnH Global

GMR’s Hyderabad airport introduces new facility

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd (GHIAL), which operates Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) has revamped its infrastructure with new facilities – notably the introduction of express security check.

In order to speed-up the check in procedures, GHIAL has introduced express security check or pre-embarkation security check at RGIA’s terminal’s entry gate for domestic passengers with only hand baggage. The airport has become the first in India to have such a facility.

Coming to the ease of predominantly the corporate and business travellers, who travel with mostly hand baggage, the new facility is expected to help over 40 pc of total domestic passengers. The peak travelling hours are now expected to witness reduced congestion, while airlines are being expected to improve on their On Time Performance (OTP).

The new facility was inaugurated by OP Singh, director general of Central Industrial Security Force. The airport has installed 10 self check-in machines outside domestic departures, which have been strategically positioned to ease the check in procedure. Passengers can now print their boarding passes from the new self-service-kiosks and enter the Express Security Check lane without getting into the check-in area and head straight towards the boarding area.

Currently the airport handles over 18,000 domestic departure passengers on a daily basis, of which close to 40 pc travel without any checked-in baggage. Introduction of the express security check is not the only development the airport has made. Keeping in mind the increased passenger traffic, the airport has also revamped its security check area by 40 pc for domestic passengers. A dedicated lane for crew members, and passengers with reduced mobility, are some other new facilities.

During financial year, 2016-2017 the GMR Hyderabad International Airport handled 15.24 million passengers, a growth of 22 pc in passenger traffic and 23 pc growth in air traffic movement over the preceding year. The airport is currently connected with 16 foreign and three Indian carriers, which fly to 18 international destinations; and 10 domestic carriers connect the city with 33 domestic destinations.