Shah orders audit to reduce passenger delays at airports, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to commission third-party studies to reduce passenger delays at major airports.
• The directive was issued during a review meeting on passenger facilities, security, and immigration systems.
• Key measures include the phased installation of Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) and expansion of baggage drop facilities.
• The Minister also called for greater adoption of the Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP).

Detailed Insights:

• The review meeting involved senior officials from the Home Ministry, Ministry of Civil Aviation, Intelligence Bureau, CISF, and Airports Authority of India (AAI).
• ATRS is intended to streamline security checkpoints, reduce congestion, and optimize manpower requirements at airports.
• The Ministry of Civil Aviation will prescribe norms for the number of aerobridges based on passenger and aircraft traffic to improve operational efficiency.
• Expansion of the baggage drop facility, currently available at 16 major airports, aims to enhance convenience for international passengers.
• FTI-TTP is a government initiative designed to expedite immigration clearance for pre-verified and trusted travelers, thereby reducing wait times.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS): An automated system at airport security checkpoints that efficiently manages and returns security trays.
• Fast Track Immigration–Trusted Travellers’ Programme (FTI-TTP): A government program enabling pre-verified travelers to clear immigration quickly via dedicated channels.
• Aerobridge: A movable enclosed walkway connecting an airport terminal gate directly to an aircraft for passenger boarding and disembarking.
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF): A central armed police force responsible for providing security cover to major airports and other critical infrastructure in India.