The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), part of the Civil Aviation Ministry’s security division, has directed airlines to ensure prompt delivery of passengers’ checked-in luggage within 30 minutes of their arrival.
Airlines are urged to implement necessary measures to achieve timely baggage delivery by February 26, as per ministry officials, aiming to alleviate airport congestion and enhance security.
In a letter dated February 16, the BCAS highlighted discrepancies in adherence to regulations by airlines after analyzing baggage delivery times.
“Airlines need to ensure that delivery of last baggage is made within 30 minutes as per the Service Quality Requirements of Operation, Management and Delivery Agreement (OMDA). BCAS has directed the airlines to implement the required measures within 10 days by 26th February 2024,” a statement issued by the civil aviation ministry said.
An official close to the development said that BCAS has been studying the time taken by airlines to clear the passengers from the arrival halls of six major airports since January this year. These airports include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai.
As per the mandates, the first baggage should arrive at the baggage belt within 10 minutes of shutting off the aircraft engine and the last bag should be at the belt within 30 minutes of the same.