No stamping: Flight passes to be scanned

SMOOTH TRAVEL CISF says the new move will help them maintain a database of flyers THE NEW PRACTICE WILL START IN AUGUST, WITH GOAIR BEING THE FIRST AIRLINE TO WITHDRAW STAMPING, DIAL SPOKESPERSON SAID

NEWDELHI: Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport is all set to do away with physical stamping of boarding passes. The procedure — that, at present, completes a passenger’s security check-in— will be replaced with scanning of boarding pass by Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel conducting the check-in. This, the CISF maintained, will help them create a database of flyers.

The new practice will start in August, with Goair being the first airline to withdraw stamping. The airport operator — Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) — said that subsequently, it will be rolled out to other airlines as well. Goair, however, could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.

At present, CISF sleuths conduct security checks of flyers at the time of check-in and stamp their boarding passes to complete the security check-in process.

A senior CISF officer, who is not authorised to speak to the media, said the new practice will help them maintain a database of all the passengers they clear for travel.

“Our men at the Delhi airport will have a scanner. The device is already in use at the Hyderabad airport. Instead of stamping the boarding pass, we will now scan it and allow passengers to go to the boarding area. This will also make a flyer’s journey, from getting a boarding pass to completing security check-in, entirely digital,” the officer said, adding that this will add to the existing security features in place.

The DIAL said the practice will start with a few gates and then get expanded to all gates — in phases.

In addition, DIAL is also launching a bag tag feature from the self-service kiosks. “This will further help us reduce the processing time and improve customer experience. The idea is to use airport terminal resources more efficiently, and enable the use of technology such as internet check-in more effectively,” said a DIAL spokesperson.