Key Takeaways:
- Delhi Airport introduces biometric kiosks and e-gates to speed up immigration and reduce wait times for arriving passengers.
- Five biometric kiosks operational, with plans to add more, reducing processing time significantly, especially for e-visa holders.
- Aiming to increase international passenger handling capacity by 40-50%, aligning with global best practices to enhance traveler experience.
How Will Biometric Immigration Speed Up Processing at Delhi Airport?
If you’ve ever found yourself stuck in a long queue at the immigration counters of an international airport, you’ll understand the importance of speeding up these processes. Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is taking a significant step in this direction by introducing biometric-based immigration with e-gates.
What Are Biometric Registration Kiosks?
The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) recently announced the launch of innovative biometric registration kiosks at the international arrival pier of the airport. According to DIAL, these kiosks aim to expedite the immigration process for arriving passengers and reduce wait times.
Why Are These Kiosks Important?
Before this mechanism, passengers holding visas and arriving in Delhi without prior biometric registration had to use designated immigration counters. This process resulted in an average wait time of 4-5 minutes per passenger. During peak hours, these queues could lead to even more extended delays.
How Do These Kiosks Work?
Currently, five biometric registration kiosks are operational at the international arrival pier, with plans to add five more. These kiosks are under the direct supervision of the Bureau of Immigration (BOI). They are specially designed for foreign nationals with a visa who did not have their biometric information collected during the application process.
“The introduction of these biometric registration kiosks is among the many firsts that Delhi Airport has achieved. It represents a significant step forward in expediting the immigration process and enhancing passenger convenience,” said Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, Chief Executive Officer at DIAL.
What Are the Benefits for Passengers?
After registering their biometric information at the kiosk, the time taken by the immigration agent or officer at the counter will be minimized by more than half. This change is particularly beneficial for passengers entering India with an e-visa, who can then proceed to any immigration counter for entry. This streamlines the process and significantly reduces the overall wait time.
Why is This Innovation Crucial for Delhi Airport?
Speeding up these processes and bringing them in line with the best global practices is critical for positioning India as an international travel hub. According to Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, the airport aims to boost its international passenger handling capacity by between 40 and 50 percent. Currently, the airport handles up to 105 million passengers, with approximately 22 million being international travelers.
“We are running out of international capacity. We are looking at various ways to increase the capacity, and the plan is to increase it by 40-50 per cent in six months to one year. We have consultants working to get the best solution in terms of operational as well as passenger convenience,” Jaipuriar mentioned at the CAPA India Aviation Summit in Delhi.
How Will This Affect the Airport’s Terminals?
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport has three terminals: T1, T2, and T3. By the end of the month, the expanded Terminal 1 should be operational, and all low-cost carriers, including IndiGo, will operate out of this expanded terminal. “We are hoping that sometime during this month itself, T1 will be operational,” the CEO added.
How Can Biometric Immigration Enhance the Overall Travel Experience?
For a smoother travel experience, passengers arriving at Delhi Airport can now take advantage of these biometric kiosks. This innovative approach not only saves time but also alleviates the stress commonly associated with long immigration lines.
Where Can I Find More Information?
For more authoritative information on immigration processes and the latest developments, check the official website of the Bureau of Immigration here.
In summary, the introduction of biometric-based immigration and e-gates at Delhi Airport marks a significant advancement in enhancing passenger convenience and optimizing the immigration process. Given the airport aims to increase international passenger handling capacity and improve overall efficiency, this step aligns perfectly with global best practices, setting a new standard for Indian airports.
Learn Today:
Glossary
1. Biometric Registration Kiosks:
Specialized self-service machines at the airport where arriving passengers can register their biometric information, such as fingerprints and facial recognition, to expedite the immigration process.
2. e-gates:
Electronic gates at immigration checkpoints that use biometric verification to allow passengers to pass through more quickly, reducing wait times compared to traditional manual checks by immigration officers.
3. Bureau of Immigration (BOI):
The governmental agency responsible for managing and overseeing immigration operations and processes at ports of entry, including airports.
4. e-visa:
An electronic visa issued online that allows travelers to enter a country without needing a physical visa stamp in their passport. E-visas typically expedite the entry process for international travelers.
5. Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA):
The primary international airport serving Delhi, India, which is implementing biometric immigration systems to enhance efficiency and passenger convenience.
This Article In A Nutshell:
Delhi Airport’s new biometric immigration with e-gates will speed up the process, reducing wait times for international travelers. Passengers register biometrics at kiosks, enabling faster clearance. This innovation boosts efficiency and enhances convenience, making travel smoother and aligning with global standards.
— By VisaVerge.com
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