Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Nov 16: Passengers flying via Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) can now check-in their baggage within 45 seconds flat due to the self-operated ' Self-bag drop' machines that are installed in the airport. KIA is the first airport in India, which has introduced this system of checking in the luggage.
Materna Integrated Passenger Services Company has installed these machines. In the beginning, this facility is available for passengers travelling by AirAsia and SpiceJet airlines only. However, later this will be extended to passengers travelling by other airlines also.
16 machines installed
KIA airport which is in the forefront of providing services with the latest technology and machine-based service has got 16 'Self-bag drop' machines installed in the airport. This will make the luggage check-in process faster and avoid hassle for passengers waiting for a long time in the queue.
Process of functioning of machines
The passengers have to take the print out of the boarding pass and baggage tags at the self-check-in kiosk. After the bag tag is tagged on the baggage, the passengers have to go near the self-bag drop machine and place the baggage on the belt. Then they have to scan the boarding pass. The machine then measures, weighs, scans and automatically feeds the luggage into the baggage handling system.
In case the luggage exceeds the weight limit set by an airline, the passengers will be directed to a ‘hybrid counter’ to complete the check-in process and make payments for the excess baggage.
Now there are enough check-in kiosks at KIA and another 32 are going to be added shortly. These kiosks will be convenient for the passengers to take the print out of boarding pass and baggage tags.
KIA has made a record by opening the airport for direct flights to London from Bengaluru. Air India is operating Dreamliner flights of 256 seat capacity for the Bengaluru - London route. British Airways has already started direct flights between London and Bengaluru. So KIA has opted this new system as the passengers flying via the airport have increased considerably.