Delhi Airport's Terminal 2 begins real-time trials of full-body scanner

New Delhi, June 28, 2022

Real-time trials of a full-body scanner started today at Terminal 2 of the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) to enhance security and ensure safety of air passengers.

The trials are in line with directives from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), a press release from the airport operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), a GMR Infrastructure Limited-led consortium, said.

According to the release, a full-body scanner is a device that detects objects, without making physical contact or breaching the privacy of passengers. Unlike metal detectors, full-body scanners can detect non-metal objects, which are hard to detect with the conventional door- frame metal detector (DFMD).

DIAL has installed a full-body scanner at the security check area for trials. The trials would be conducted on a real-time basis, that is, passengers would have to pass through it during their security check before moving to the security hold area.

The real-time trials would be carried out for a period of 45 to 60 days. During this period, feedback of all the stakeholders – the BCAS, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), the airport operator DIAL, and passengers – would be taken, examined, and evaluated. Upon completion of trials, the findings would be shared with regulatory bodies for evaluation and the further course of action would be decided accordingly, the release said.

DIAL said the new advanced scanner installed at Delhi Airport is a Millimeter-Wave based scanner, which was found to be accurate and has medical approvals regarding health risks, and completely answers privacy issues.

"By scanning passengers at the airport, one can reveal anything hidden beneath their clothes and thus reduce the number of random pat-downs and strip searches. This saves personnel from an uncomfortable situation and speeds up security checks," it said.

DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said, “Safety and security of civil aviation is a major concern for all. As an airport operator, DIAL has been constantly working to make the process smooth for the passengers without compromising security and safety. The CISF has been doing a tremendous job. Now, we have deployed one of the advanced full-body scanners at the airport. It takes care of passengers’ privacy during security checks and hardly has any impact on their health. After successful completion of trials, and evaluation of results, DIAL would install such scanners as per BCAS directive.”

The door-frame metal detectors would remain in place for special category passengers like those who are wheelchair-bound or those who cannot physically pass through the full-body scanners, the release added.

GMR is the largest private airport operator in Asia and the second largest in the world with a passenger handling capacity of over 189 million annually. GMR’s subsidiary GMR Airports Limited has Groupe ADP as a strategic partner holding a 49 percent stake. It operates the iconic Delhi Airport, which is the largest and fastest-growing airport in India. It also runs Hyderabad Airport, a pioneering greenfield airport known for several technological innovations. The company is also operating the architecturally renowned Mactan Cebu International Airport in Cebu, Philippines, in partnership with Megawide. Expanding its overseas footprint, GMR, in collaboration with Angkasa Pura II (AP II), has recently bagged the development and operation rights of Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, Indonesia.

The Group is currently developing three major greenfield airport projects across India and Greece. Goa and Bhogapuram airports in India are poised to transform the economy and landscape of the surrounding areas when ready. Crete airport in Greece will similarly play a significant role in the local economy of the region.

As a pioneer in implementing the path-breaking Aerotropolis concept in India, GMR Group is developing unique airport cities on commercial lands available around its airports in Delhi, Hyderabad, and Goa. GMR Delhi Aerocity is a landmark business, leisure, and experiential district. Similarly, GMR Hyderabad Aerocity is coming up as a new-age smart business hub, the release added.

NNN