Pune International Airport (PIA) has introduced two inline baggage systems in the basement of its New Integrated Terminal Building (NITB) to expedite pre-embarkation security checks.
These systems can screen 1,200 to 1,400 bags per hour, significantly improving passenger convenience during check-in and boarding, especially for luggage destined for aircraft cargo, airport officials said.
Airport Director Santosh Dhoke highlighted the system’s impact on streamlining passenger movement before boarding. “Earlier, when passengers had to go through the manual process, it took approximately half an hour to screen registered luggage. Now, with these machines, the processing time has been reduced to around ten minutes (a reduction of around 70 per cent), complying with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) guidelines,” Dhoke explained.
He added that major airports like Delhi and Mumbai have already eliminated manual X-ray screening for registered baggage, thanks to their fully equipped inline systems.
PIA uses two types of machines for baggage screening: one for checked baggage heading to the cargo hold and another for carry-on bags. These systems operate behind the scenes, away from public view.
The Pune airport also has 10 baggage X-ray machines operated by CISF personnel at security checkpoints. Dhoke noted that each machine can screen about 135 bags per hour, enabling the airport to handle approximately 1,350 bags per hour, equivalent to 1,350 passengers.
During peak hours, the airport manages a passenger flow of up to 1,200 individuals through its scanning processes, reflecting its enhanced operational efficiency with the addition of these advanced systems.