Airport takes steps to speed up bag check ahead of winter rush
Times of India | 27 November 2025
Kolkata: Ahead of the winter rush, Kolkata airport is implementing multiple steps to streamline flyer movement through the terminal, with an emphasis on faster screening of bags to reduce wait time during security checks.
While the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which is in charge of security at the airport, is deploying additional personnel to meet the rush that the airport experiences in winter, Kolkata airport officials are also planning to set up next to queue managers at check-in counters and before security check portals.
"We plan to install the boards so that they can display important messages, including items that are restricted in registered baggage and those that are prohibited in cabin baggage. This is necessary not only for aesthetics, as paper printouts of these banned items are currently pasted on various surfaces, but the use of the electronic message board will also attract flyers' attention and be more effective," said airport director Vikram Singh.
This is important because when restricted items are detected during the screening of a bag, it disrupts the smooth flow and takes time for a CISF personnel to manually sift through the bag after checking the X-ray image to confiscate the restricted object.
"If there is a problem in the odd bag, it is not an issue. But with 30% of passengers in Kolkata being first-time flyers and many of them migrant labourers travelling to other cities or even other countries for jobs, they are not aware of the restrictions. Hence, the number of bags with restricted items is high. Displaying the restricted items prominently in multiple languages on an electronic board that is strategically positioned can help these passengers take corrective action before placing the bags on the X-ray machine belt," said a CISF officer.
The officer also pointed out that seasonal messages, like the need to pass jackets and coats through the X-ray machine during winter, can help expedite frisking. "The board can also remind flyers to remove everything from their pockets, including wallet, coin, pen and cellphone before heading to the door frame metal detector for frisking," he added.
When the display boards are placed, CISF also wants airlines to use them to remind passengers that they are allowed to carry only one carry-on luggage. Only those with laptops are allowed to carry it in a bag. However, at Kolkata airport, the average carry-on luggage per passenger is 1.7. Thus, it takes more time to clear passenger bags. At Kolkata airport, the average time spent at the security check during peak hours is 10 minutes. CISF personnel point out it is much lower than Delhi's Terminal 3, where a passenger spends 20-25 minutes to clear security. The average time for frisking at Kolkata airport is 15-30 seconds.