India aims to streamline airport screening to boost global competitiveness.

India is working on easing immigration and cargo screening rules at airports to enhance efficiency and make them globally competitive. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has initiated discussions with the Home Ministry to eliminate rescreening for international passengers and transshipment cargo.

Currently, travelers on international layovers in India must complete immigration checks at transit airports, causing delays. The government is considering a policy change allowing immigration procedures at the first or final destination instead of intermediary airports.

Similarly, cargo transshipment rules require security checks at multiple points, extending turnaround times. For instance, cargo from Bangladesh undergoes checks at the Indo-Bangla border and is reverified at Delhi Airport before transfer, increasing delays.

These reforms aim to improve the passenger experience and efficiency at Indian airports, aligning them with global hubs like Dubai and Singapore. The move is expected to benefit airlines such as IndiGo and Air India, which are expanding internationally.

Source: ET Infra