New baggage security checks next year at BIA

Sri Lanka’s international airport at Katunayake will be falling in line with the globally accepted baggage check-in systems by mid 2020.

It will adopt the worldwide accepted system of inline baggage handling system where the baggage of passengers passes a security check at only the airline check-in point, an airport official told the Business Times.

The new system would ensure that passengers will not be subject to cumbersome procedures from the time they enter the airport for security checks and later again for weighing them, it was noted.

The hi- tech system is expected to speed up the pre- departure process without compromising security and ensure a smooth transfer of baggage from passenger to plane.

In addition, the airport is also carrying out different arrangements in terms of security in line with world

wide trends with an inline baggage handling system.

In case of a breach of security if baggage were likely to contain some suspected items, then the baggage could be subject to a manual check as well.

However, the new system once deployed would ensure not just less pro

cedures to passengers but also a speedy baggage security check.

The Airport and Aviation Services Ltd is expected to provide funding for this project and currently authorities are working on the design of the inline baggage handling system to be adopted.

This system of carrying out an automated check-in of baggage is currently in use worldwide and officials believe that Sri Lanka is one of the few countries that are yet to adopt this new process.

In a bid to implement the system, airport authorities would have to select from the numbers of manufacturers that design these systems and deploy them to carry out installation of these equipment.

Once the new system is finalised it is expected to be installed and implemented by mid 2020, officials said.