Aadhaar-enabled boarding to be a reality at Bengaluru airport by 2018

Bengaluru: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru is set to become India’s first completely Aadhaar-enabled airport, boasting of a biometric boarding system.

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which ran a two-month pilot project has given its approval for the project that will replace the cumbersome ordeal of handling tickets, ID, luggage with a smooth, paperless travelling experience.

According to media reports, BIAL has set a deadline of 325 days to roll out the new Aadhaar system. The project is likely to be completed by December 2018.

The initiative is in line with BIAL’s efforts to become a Smart Airport and it wants to do so by tapping into the Aadhaar-based authentication services for verification of the flyers’ identity, security checks and other processes involved.

BIAL executive director and president Hari Marar told ET that this move will speed up the validation process and increase the level of security. The use of biometrics will soon be the “only verification required at each passenger touch-point”. This will provide for a seamless and quick travel experience.

Some days ago, it was reported the government is planning to link the databases of airline and airports with Aadhaar and passport numbers. This will facilitate entry into airport terminals using only the biometrics without the need for identity cards.

“We will soon know the indicative cost of the project and time frame in which it can be implemented," Aviation Secretary RN Choubey had said, adding that this will cut down the waiting time for passengers.