New Delhi – Union Home Minister Amit Shah has directed the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to commission independent third‑party audits during the peak travel period to identify and eliminate passenger bottlenecks across all major Indian airports. The order was issued in a high‑level review meeting that also included Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, the Home Secretary, the Director of the Intelligence Bureau, the Civil Aviation Secretary, the CISF Director‑General, the Airports Authority of India Chairman and other senior officials.

Background and Current Challenges

India’s aviation sector has witnessed a steady surge in passenger numbers, straining security checkpoints and immigration counters. Long queues, heightened manpower requirements, and insufficient aerobridge capacity have collectively extended overall travel time, prompting calls for a systematic overhaul.

Government Directive and Technological Measures

Shah ordered a phased rollout of the Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) at airports nationwide. ATRS automates the retrieval of trays used in security scanners, allowing passengers to move through checkpoints more swiftly and reducing the need for additional staff. He also instructed the Civil Aviation Ministry to set clear norms for the number of aerobridges at airports based on passenger and aircraft traffic metrics.

Baggage Drop Expansion and Immigration Streamlining

Currently, only 16 major airports offer self‑service baggage drop. The minister directed that this facility be extended to other international airports handling high passenger volumes. To accelerate immigration clearance, Shah emphasized broader adoption of the Centre’s Fast Track Immigration‑Trusted Travellers Programme (FTI‑TTP). Airlines are to send WhatsApp messages to passengers at the time of international ticket booking, encouraging enrollment in the programme.

Projected Impact and Way Forward

Analysts project that the combined effect of ATRS, aerobridge rationalisation, and expanded baggage‑drop services could shave 30‑40% off average wait times at security checkpoints. Reduced manpower needs may also lower operational costs for airport authorities. If implemented promptly, these measures could significantly boost India’s aviation competitiveness while delivering a smoother experience for travelers.