Kolkata airport starts self-baggage drop kiosks to cut check-in queues – ET TravelWorld

The frustratingly long queues to deposit registered luggage at airline check-in counters is set to become history with Kolkata airport introducing self-baggage drop kiosks.

These kiosks enable passengers to tag their bags, deposit them on the conveyor belt, and head straight for security check. This can potentially reduce wait times by 5 to 20 minutes, depending on how busy flight schedules are at that hour.

The facility has been introduced at three airline portals as of now: IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express. Together, they serve over 80 per cent of domestic flights operating out of Kolkata airport. IndiGo and Air India check-in counters are also the most crowded at the airport.

Mandatory web check-in and facial recognition tech Digi Yatra have already reduced queues at the terminal entrance and security check to a great extent. It has enabled a passenger with just hand baggage to reach the security hold area within 10 minutes of arriving at the airport. Now, the introduction of self-baggage drop kiosks aims to remove another queue.

While those travelling without registered baggage have a smooth sailing through the airport, those with large bags complain that they have to stand in long queues to deposit their luggage.

“Though some airlines have introduced the facility of printing baggage tags along with web check-in, it does not work because barcoded tags with adhesive need to be attached to the luggage so that they can board the correct flights to reach the proper destination. Also, in the event of luggage getting misplaced, the tags can help trace them. With the self-baggage drop facility, flyers can reach the kiosk, complete the tagging, and drop the bags in a minute,” a Kolkata airport official said.

Arindam Mukherjee, who teaches at a tech university in Bengaluru, said he successfully deposited his luggage within 45 seconds, skipping a queue that had nearly 25 passengers with luggage when he reached the check-in area. “This is simply fantastic and will help frequent travellers a lot,” he said. The system functions as long as the weight of the luggage is within the allowance permitted by the airline.

If baggage weight exceeds the allowance permitted, the bags have to be manually checked in after paying the excess weight charges.