New Delhi: Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is all set to become India’s first Aadhaar-enabled airport by December 2018 with complete biometric boarding system. The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) had conducted a two-month trial period in February. According to a Request For Proposal (RFP) issued by BIAL, the KIA is expected to be completely Aadhaar-enabled by December 2018. As per the RFP that was issued on October 3, BIAL has set a 325-day deadline to implement the new system. As far as airport entry is concerned, the project will go live by March 30, 2018 and in another 90 days, under phase-2, all domestic airlines will be roped to make phase-2 live, an ET report said.

According to reports, the process enables a passenger to be verified in less than five seconds at every checkpoint right up to the boarding gate. This is believed to complete the screening process in 10 minutes compared to the average 25 minutes. The Aadhaar-enabled system will help more passengers enter through the same gate and passengers will no longer have to show a paper ticket or boarding pass and ID at multiple checkpoints. This process is believed to enhance security and speed up clearance and alleviate delays at the airport. The process will also help in eliminating the need for passengers to present their ID and boarding passes. Passengers boarding international airline flights will be able to access the new system by October 4, 2018 and by December 31, 2018, the project will be complete.

BIAL executive director and President Hari Marar was quoted by Economic Times saying that the new move will speed up the validation process and provide a significant increase in security. He added saying that the use of biometrics will soon be the only verification required at each passenger touch-point.  A Smart Airport is the one which is fully digitised, seamlessly connected and intuitive airport. According to BIAL, this process will help a passenger be verified within 5 seconds at every checkpoint from the entry to the boarding gate.