Birsa Munda Airport in Ranchi will soon get the latest In-Line Baggage Screening (ILBS) system, which will automatically screen the baggage of travellers at the check-in counter with minimal human intervention, thereby saving passengers from the hassle of standing in long queues for X-Ray screening of their luggage prior to the check-in process, airport officials said on Sunday.

“Once the latest system is installed, passengers will be able to directly move to the check-in counter without having to take the trouble of getting their baggage screened at the X-Ray screening machines at the departure,” said the Director of Birsa Munda Airport, Vinod Sharma.

According to Sharma, the latest ILBS system will not only help passengers save time, but also enhance the security at the airport by detecting explosives and items prohibited in aircrafts with more efficiency. “We have set a target of installing the system by November 15. Even if we take a few extra days, the ILBS system should be operational latest by November 30,” he said.

The decision of installing ILBS system has been taken in compliance with the latest security norms of the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), said airport officials, adding that the latest ILBS system is already operational in some of the busiest airports in India.

Currently, passengers have to first stand in a line at the baggage screening centre where their luggage is screened manually, and then move to the check-in counter. The process of getting baggage screened manually often becomes time-consuming during busy hours at the airport, causing trouble to passengers who are either running late or are unwell, sources said.

The Birsa Munda Airport will also get two new aerobridges, the moveable tunnels that connect airport buildings to the aircraft and help in hassle-free boarding or deboarding for passengers, the airport director said. At present, the airport has two aerobridges. The additional two aerobridges will help in easing flight movement.

Currently, at least 20 flights connect Ranchi to New Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad. The Birsa Munda Airport, which bagged the top position in Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) last year, at present has a 75 meter basic strip, which is the minimum length required for any airport. The basic strip is likely to be extended to 140 meter. Ranchi was likely to get more flights earlier this year, but the second wave of Covid-19 caused a delay in the process, officials said.