Surat Airport Introduces Inline Baggage Handling System to Enhance Passenger Experience

Surat | Gujarat — In a significant step toward modernization and enhanced passenger convenience, the long-awaited Inline Baggage Handling and Scanning System (ILBHS) was inaugurated today at Surat International Airport. The new facility was formally inaugurated by Shri Ajay Bhardwaj, CEO of AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Ltd (AAICLAS), in the presence of the Airport Director, DC CISF, and other stakeholders.

The newly launched ILBHS marks a major milestone for Surat Airport, aligning it with global standards of airport digitalization and passenger facilitation. The system integrates baggage scanning directly into the baggage handling process, eliminating the need for passengers to queue separately for X-ray checks before check-in. With this advancement, baggage security screening will now occur automatically as part of the conveyor-based system.

AAICLAS, a 100% subsidiary of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), is the only authorized service provider for ILBHS at over ten AAI-operated airports and several PPP-operated airports, including those under Adani Airport Holdings Ltd (AAHL). The company currently provides ILBHS services at Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Srinagar, Goa, Thiruvananthapuram, Varanasi, Ahmedabad, and Calicut airports.

Airports globally are embracing end-to-end digital transformation to enhance operational efficiency, increase capacity, and improve passenger experience. The ILBHS is a key component in this transformation, featuring multi-level security screening that complies with Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) norms.

With the system now operational, passengers flying out of Surat will need to adhere to stricter check-in timelines. Airlines have been instructed to close check-in counters exactly one hour before flight departure to ensure adequate time for in-line screening. Earlier, passengers could check in up to 45 minutes before departure, but the new process demands earlier reporting — typically two hours before flight time.

IndiGo and Air India Express have already issued official orders from their headquarters enforcing the new timelines. Passengers are advised to plan their arrival accordingly to avoid denial of boarding.

The new baggage system will also enhance security checks for prohibited items such as power banks, lithium batteries, and restricted materials in check-in baggage. With newly trained staff handling the system, initial operations may take slightly longer as the team adapts to the technology.

Meanwhile, AAICLAS has invited young aviation aspirants to join as ILBHS Security Screeners at Chennai International Airport. Candidates certified by BCAS in ILBHS/Standalone X-BIS and holding valid AVSEC credentials are eligible to apply, with attractive salary protection, joining bonuses, and career progression opportunities.

The introduction of ILBHS at Surat is a major step forward in enhancing both security and passenger comfort, bringing the airport on par with India’s leading aviation hubs.