Bengaluru International Airport’s (BIA) long wish to become the first airport in India to start mobile check-in services for passengers is unlikely to become a reality for now.
The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of the airport who have been proposing to start mobile check-in services inorder to have a seamless check-in process for passengers, are yet to get clearance from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).
“The BCAS is yet to approve mobile check-in process at airports in India. BIAL is continuously pursuing this matter with them,” airport officials told DNA. Ministry of civil aviation officials said the BCAS, which is the regulatory authority for civil aviation security in India, is yet to give clearance as it is still reviewing if the mobile check-in services system is foolproof.
Mobile check-in services are currently in use at most of leading airports across the globe wherein passengers can check in and get their boarding pass by merely flashing an encrypted barcode on a web-enabled mobile phone to security and airport officials.
Passengers intending to use this service will have to log on to the airline’s website from their mobile phones and opt for the service. After completing this procedure, they receive a two-dimensional encrypted barcode on their screen which has to be produced at the airport check-in counter. After getting the barcode scanned by the officials at the airport, boarding passes are issued and the passengers can directly board the flight.
BIAL already has a two-dimensional bar code technology which is in compliance with the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Meanwhile, BIA as per instructions from the BCAS is now accepting e-tickets produced by passengers on electronic devices for entry into the airport. Air travellers can now enter the airport by showing a soft display of air tickets on their smartphones, tablets and laptops.
Passengers have to produce a valid photo identity in original and keep the ticket open on their device while in the queue, in order to avoid delays at the access control point of the terminal building, said airport officials.
