If waiting in long airport lines is your worst nightmare, there is some good news for you. Boarding a flight from Delhi will now be more convenient with the improvements in the baggage service operation. On Monday, the Delhi airport operator DIAL announced the implementation of the Self Baggage Drop (SBD) service at Terminal 3. SBD aims to streamline the baggage drop-off process, reduce the wait time for passengers by around 15-20 minutes and enhance the overall airport experience.
The facility is open for domestic passengers and will become available for international passengers once it receives the necessary approvals. This facility can cater to up to three passengers per minute, according to the Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL). DIAL, a GMR Airport Infrastructure Ltd-led consortium, operates the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in the national capital. 14 SBD machines, including 12 automated and two hybrids, have already been installed.
How To Use SBD Services
"While currently, passengers travelling IndiGo will be able to use the facility, five other airlines, including Air India, Vistara, Air France, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines and British Airways, are likely to allow usage of self-baggage drop for their passengers shortly," DIAL said in a release.
To use the SBD facility, passengers must follow a simple two-step process. First, they must generate their boarding passes and baggage tags at the Self Check-In kiosk. Then, they must tag their check-in baggage.
Also, when arriving at the SBD facility, passengers will be required to scan their boarding pass, declare that their luggage does not contain any prohibited or dangerous items, and place their baggage on the assigned belt. After completing these steps, the baggage will be automatically transported to the sorting area and then loaded onto the aircraft.
Baggage Weight Management
If your check-in baggage exceeds the weight limit set by the airline, it won't be accepted by the machine. However, rest assured that airline staff will be available to assist you at the facility.
"DIAL has been working relentlessly towards maximising passenger experience at the Delhi airport through various digitisation and automation initiatives. The Self-Baggage Drop facility aims to make the passengers self-reliant while significantly reducing the time taken for baggage processing," Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO of DIAL, said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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