Indian airports welcome back passengers

Airports in India have put new safety and hygiene measures in place as they welcome back passengers.

GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited, operator of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, has implemented contactless boarding, thermal scanning, hand sanitizer dispensers and additional cleaning.

Trolleys at Rajiv Gandhi International, which reopened yesterday (Monday, May 25), are now going through a disinfection tunnel and hand baggage trays are also being disinfected before arriving at collection points. At check-in, passengers can scan QR codes on their cell phones at touchless kiosks to receive boarding cards and baggage tags, and must then display ID and scan a barcode to validate their credentials via smart cameras and scanners placed at departure gates.

At Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, meanwhile, food and beverage and retail areas have been made contactless. Travelers can pre-order food or use self-service kiosks, or scan a QR code to have food delivered to a location of their choice in the terminal.

Other measures being implemented include disinfecting food counters after every use, sanitizing stores every 30 minutes and dishwashers wearing gloves. Staff have been equipped with masks and gloves and have been trained to serve customers at a safe distance.

In addition, retail areas are being regularly fumigated and sanitized, and passengers and staff are being screened at entry.