India's BCAS Instructs Airlines To Deliver Checked-in Bags Within 30 Minutes Of Landing

India's Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has taken significant steps to streamline baggage handling procedures across leading airlines operating in the country.

On February 16, 2024, BCAS issued directives to seven prominent airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa, SpiceJet, Vistara, Air India Express Connect, and Air India Express, urging them to implement measures to ensure the prompt delivery of baggage.

Conducting an extensive survey across six major airports nationwide, BCAS scrutinized the operations of these airlines and analyzed over 3600 flight movements along with their baggage delivery processes. According to regulations, airlines must ensure the delivery of passengers' baggage within 10 to 30 minutes following the aircraft's engine shutdown.

The directive addresses concerns raised regarding the punctuality of baggage delivery, fueled by complaints received through social media and other channels. The Aviation Ministry, spearheaded by Jyotiraditya Scindia, initiated a robust monitoring exercise in January 2024, focusing on tracking baggage arrival times at designated belts in major airports.

Despite improvements in performance since the review's inception, none of the airlines consistently met the prescribed standards. The Operations, Management, and Delivery Agreement (OMDA) mandates that the first baggage should reach the conveyor belt within 10 minutes of engine shutdown, emphasizing the need for prompt handling and delivery.

While monitoring efforts currently concentrate on six major airports, BCAS has directed airlines to extend compliance measures to all airports within their operational purview, aiming for uniformity and adherence to service level standards.

BCAS has given airlines a deadline of 10 days to implement the required measures, with a target date of February 26, 2024. Failure to comply may result in further regulatory action, according to an MoCA official.

This initiative underscores BCAS's commitment to enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency within the aviation industry. By prioritizing timely baggage delivery, airlines can elevate customer satisfaction and maintain service excellence.

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