Emphasising alignment with international travel norms to ensure faster travel, Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday (2 February) explored the possibility of changes in airport design and technologies to make immigration and security-check processes quicker at airports.

Chairing an advisory committee group meeting with airport operators and officials of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Bureau of Immigration, Scindia discussed various possibilities to build international aviation hubs in India.

The meeting delved into solutions derived from studying international airport models such as those of Singapore and Canada.

Key highlights of the discussions with stakeholders include cross-utilisation of X-ray Baggage Inspection Systems (XBIS) machines, deployment of new technologies, and an increase in workforce, among others.

The meeting examined the possibility of cross-utilising domestic and international XBIS machines at Delhi airport to ensure greater availability of machines and, hence, lesser wait time.

The proof-of-concept trials for use of e-gates and e-biometrics for immigration are already underway. These technologies are set to redefine the standards of efficiency and security in air travel.

A thorough analysis of the manpower requirement of the CISF and immigration officers has been undertaken. This analysis takes into account the planned expansion of existing and upcoming airports across the country, including those in Jewar and Navi Mumbai.

Taking to social media platform X, Scindia shared, “We are currently discussing the design models to speed up immigration and security for international travelers. New technologies such as e-biometrics are also on the anvil and are currently being tested. These will be key in our vision for international aviation hubs in India.”

The Minister also emphasised the government’s commitment to embracing innovation and leveraging technology to transform India’s civil aviation landscape.

He reiterated the Ministry’s dedication to positioning India as a global leader in air travel and the industry’s common goal to create multiple aviation hubs in the country.

Stakeholders from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Bureau of Immigration (BOI), CISF, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and Airports Authority of India (AAI) were present at the meeting.