Safeguarding the health and safety of all our travelers

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Safeguarding the health and safety of all our travelers

04 June 2021

The unprecedented impact of COVID-19 led to disruption of air travel. But as happens with tough times, it enables change. The silver lining of this crisis, was the opportunity to review existing safety procedures and create a more passenger-friendly and resilient travel industry.

By now we are all conditioned to the new normal i.e., wearing masks, sanitization of hands and social distancing. And, adopting these steps especially while travelling is essential. To ensure absolutely risk-free travel even during the pandemic, GMR led Delhi Airport and Hyderabad Airport created hygienic environment with contactless or self-service facilities and e-processes.

Here are some key junctures from Delhi and Hyderabad Airports passenger health and safety plan:

Artificial Intelligence comes to the rescue:

Artificial Intelligence has transformed many industries and even in these tough times, it has turned out to be a savior for travel as well. And, to get contactless yet seamless travel experience through Delhi and Hyderabad Airports, passengers are encouraged to use AI- enabled HOI app

It comes in handy for several valuable features such as real time flight status alerts, boarding gate and belt information, airport facility information, time to gate and waiting estimates, weather at destination, contact-less food ordering, payment services amongst others. To avail its benefits, one has to simply download the app on their Android or iOS device, sign-up and add their upcoming flight's travel details.

E-processes (like E-boarding and E-gate):

To simplify the travel processes and secure it with contactless approach, most of the air travel documentation has gone paperless. At Hyderabad Airport passengers can take advantage of its paperless E-boarding system to travel using electronic boarding passes stored on their mobile phones. All boarding gates have contact-less E-boarding gates with boarding card scanners, which will help the passengers to just flash their boarding cards to verify flight details and once done, they can proceed to board the aircraft. This E-boarding facility is now being extended to international travelers also.

While at Delhi Airport we have E-gate, a device with CISF personnel with which a simple scan done from a healthy distance validates passengers boarding pass by checking with airline data. At the same time, it ensures that passenger-flow is regulated through automatic flap gates in the airport.

Queue Management Systems:

To ensure operational efficiency and adequate adherence to social distancing norms, both Delhi and Hyderabad Airport have adopted hi-tech queue management solutions.

An AI-based passenger tracking system known as XOVIS PTS, has been installed at Terminal 3 of Delhi Airport to manage passenger flow and ensure social distancing at various passenger touch point areas of the airport. The sensors of the system are installed at all departure entry gates of Terminal 3, all check-in rows, domestic and international security check areas, emigrations and domestic-to-international transfer areas.

They provide live waiting time to passengers on display screens installed at various places like check-in hall, arrival pier junction, security check area, immigration, etc. inside the terminal. Also, the system generates auto-alerts prompting airport officials to act swiftly as soon as it identifies any crowded area at the terminal.

On the other hand, GMR Hyderabad International Airport is also taking part in a pilot project to improve the operational efficiency at the airport with a queue management solution. An advanced camera based Video Analytics solution constantly monitors various key parameters such as peak passenger waiting time and helps in monitoring social distance. This in turn will enhance compliance and airport security further.

On-site Covid Testing:

With RT-PCR report becoming mandatory for International travel, both Delhi International Airport and Hyderabad International Airport have opened on-site covid testing that is available for travelers round the clock.

Hyderabad International Airport has partnered with Mapmygenome, an ICMR and NABL certified lab for Covid Testing. Passengers can avail of the test at the immigration level or the forecourt of Interim International Departures Terminal. Results will be available via email and WhatsApp. A hardcopy of the report will also be available. A lounge has been created at the western extended plate of arrivals for the passengers who wait to collect their report.

While at Delhi Airport, India's first airport Covid testing facility was set up. Now working in collaboration with Premium Plaza Lunge and Genestrings Diagnostic Centre, the facility provides on-site coronavirus testing and lounge access. Test results are made available within 4-6 hours during which the passengers can relax at the lounge area.

Along with these crucial steps, both the airports are also ensuring stringent sanitization measures in and across the airports. This includes seating areas, washrooms, trolleys, lifts, elevators, baggage belts and even the cabs available at both Delhi and Hyderabad Airport. Also both the airports have a strong team of around 500 on-ground professionals who make sure there is a strict adherence to Covid-19 safety guidelines for the welfare of all.