Amritsar, June 23, 2026(Yes Punjab News)
The FlyAmritsar Initiative (FAI) and Amritsar Vikas Manch (AVM) have welcomed the operationalization of the Inline Hold Baggage Handling System at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, Amritsar, calling it a long-awaited and passenger-friendly upgrade.
In a joint statement, Yogesh Kamra, Convener India of FlyAmritsar Initiative and General Secretary of Amritsar Vikas Manch, along with Sameep Singh Gumtala, Global Convener of FlyAmritsar Initiative, thanked the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Amritsar Airport Director Sh. Bhupendra Singh ji for making the facility operational. They noted the new system will significantly streamline the check-in process, especially for international travellers, elderly passengers and families carrying heavy luggage.
Explaining the impact of the upgrade, Gumtala stated that departing passengers previously had to unload their baggage from trolleys near the check-in area and send it through a standalone X-ray screening machine. After screening, passengers had to reload the bags onto the trolley and transport them to the airline counter, a process he described as time-consuming and inconvenient.
“With the Inline Hold Baggage Handling System now operational, passengers can proceed directly to the airline check-in counters with their baggage,” Gumtala added. “Once the airline accepts the checked-in bags, they will move through the inline system for internal screening and sorting before being loaded onto the aircraft. This will reduce manual handling, save time, ease congestion, and provide a seamless departure experience.”
Kamra highlighted that this facility had been requested for a long time, having been raised repeatedly during his tenure as a member of the Airport Advisory Committee. “We appreciate the efforts of the present airport management and Airport Director Sh. Bhupendra Singh ji for making this important system operational. We hope it remains fully functional and continues to improve passenger convenience at Amritsar Airport,” he said.
The organizations also commended a series of recent passenger-focused improvements introduced under the current Airport Director’s leadership, including DigiYatra, fast-track immigration facilities (FTI-TTP), Udaan Yatri Café, Flybrary, new food outlets, upgraded Wi-Fi, and aesthetic enhancements on the airport approach road. Kamra and Gumtala expressed optimism that this positive momentum will continue, bringing Amritsar Airport’s facilities on par with Delhi and other major hubs.
The advocates stressed that further improvements are still necessary to meet the growing expectations at Punjab’s leading international airport. They emphasized the need for more security check counters during rush hours, expanded terminal capacity, higher customer service standards, and better parking management.
They requested proper implementation of the Green Channel system at Customs so that passengers, especially families and elderly travellers, are not made to stand in long queues again for Customs X-ray scanning immediately after collecting their baggage from the belt, unless specifically required by Customs officials. “More counters and scanners should be operated when two or three international flights arrive close together,” they said.
Kamra and Gumtala also urged airport authorities to improve pick-up and drop-off areas with multiple dedicated lanes under CCTV coverage, clearly marked slots near arrival and departure gates for passengers with reduced mobility and wheelchair users, and a visible 24/7 manned assistance kiosk for wheelchair support.
They further said baggage trolleys should always be available in drop lanes and parking areas, with CCTV-based monitoring to ensure availability. Dedicated trolley grouping points should be created at multiple locations with large overhead signs so passengers can locate them easily from a distance.
The organisations added that while AAI and airport management are upgrading facilities at the airport, the Punjab Government must also fulfill its long-pending responsibility by providing economical public transport connectivity to Amritsar Airport. Dedicated bus services from major cities and districts of Punjab would help passengers reach the airport conveniently, support existing flights with stronger passenger loads, and reduce unnecessary dependence on Delhi and other distant hubs.
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