Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) officially inaugurated its new Terminal 2 (T2) in November 2022. The state-of-the-art terminal follows a unique garden aesthetic, in line with Bengaluru’s image as a ‘garden city’. BLR Airport is India’s third largest airport in terms of passenger traffic and aircraft movements and is expected to grow with the new infrastructure, which incorporates the latest passenger handling technologies.
Enhanced travel experience through automated baggage handling
The airport commissioned German provider Materna IPS to equip the new terminal with 34 Self Bag Drop (SBD) systems in order to optimise the passenger journey. Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), the operator of BLR Airport, chose the supplier based on their successful collaboration in the past. In 2019, Materna IPS implemented its self-service solutions in the airport’s Terminal 1.
In February this year, the Flex.Go systems were put into operation, with Air Asia India and Air Vistara being the first airlines to offer the technology to their passengers. The SBDs are equipped with artificial intelligence-based dimensional and conveyability detection to ensure smooth and secure a baggage drop. Other features, such as biometrics, can be added at a later stage, depending on the airport’s requirements. The integration of an excess baggage payment solution is in progress.
By implementing this major project at BLR Airport, Materna IPS extends its business activities in the Indian market and is expanding its international growth. Materna IPS managing director Dr. Georg Oschmann emphasises: “Everyone involved is absolutely honoured to take our collaboration with Bangalore International Airport further and we want to thank BIAL for their continued trust in our products.”