Delhi IGI Airport to conduct full-body scanner trials

Noting that unlike conventional ‘X-ray’ scanners, DIAL pointed out that these scanners do not emit radiation, making them safe for all travellers, including pregnant women and individuals with medical implants

The national capital’s Indira Gandhi International Airport will conduct advanced full-body scanner trials from May 2025.

Notably, the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), which operates and maintains the IGI Airport, took this decision following the latest guidelines from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS).

“The introduction of these body scanners is a game-changer in security screening, allowing for faster and more effective checks without compromising privacy,” DIAL CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar was quoted as saying in a statement.

“Our focus is on making air travel more convenient for passengers, and these trials, planned in accordance with government guidelines, will help us evaluate the system’s efficiency before a full-scale rollout.”

Accordingly, four state-of-the-art scanners have been procured, with two installed at Terminal 1 (T1) and two at Terminal 3 (T3).

The airport operator said that the IT interface for these machines is being finalised, and upon completion of the three-to-four-month trial, a BCAS-led committee will evaluate the findings and establish a ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ (SoP) for full-scale implementation.

As per DIAL, these scanners use millimetre-wave technology operating between 70 to 80 GHz, which enhances security while ensuring passenger privacy.

Noting that unlike conventional ‘X-ray’ scanners, DIAL pointed out that these scanners do not emit radiation, making them safe for all travellers, including pregnant women and individuals with medical implants.

Importantly, these scanners are designed to expedite passenger movement, ensuring a more seamless airport experience with reduced wait times.

These advanced scanners, DIAL said, detect both metallic and non-metallic threats, significantly improving upon traditional metal detectors.

Besides, the airport operator pointed out that the technology is already in use at major international airports in the US, Canada, and Australia, and enables rapid screening, with each scan taking just three seconds and a maximum throughput of 1,200 scans per hour.

Privacy concerns

Furthermore, DIAL said that to address privacy concerns, the scanners generate a standardised ‘2D image’ on a preset human avatar, ensuring no personal images are stored.

On a technical basis, the scanners are equipped with four touchscreen monitors for image evaluation and passenger guidance and can scan individuals between 3.3 feet to 6.7 feet in height.

In addition, the scanners comply with all national and international safety standards, requiring minimal maintenance, and operate as per BCAS guidelines.

“All scan data is stored securely with access restricted to authorised agencies, ensuring both security and convenience for travellers,” the statement said.

Published on April 4, 2025