Mumbai Airport expands hybrid self bag drop to boost terminal 2 departure efficiency

Credit: CSMIA

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai has introduced 14 Hybrid Self Bag Drop counters at Terminal 2, marking a significant step in strengthening technology-led departure processing. The new counters form part of a phased programme to convert all 212 existing check-in desks at Terminal 2 into a hybrid format by 2028.

The initiative is designed to optimise terminal space, increase baggage processing capacity and improve operational flexibility during peak and off-peak periods. By enabling counters to switch easily between manual and self-service modes, the airport can adapt resources quickly to changing passenger demand while continuing to support travellers who require assistance.

The rollout follows strong growth in the use of self-service baggage facilities at the airport. Autonomous self bag drop usage rose by 40 per cent, from 388,446 passengers in calendar year 2024 to 560,275 passengers in calendar year 2025. This increase has underlined the need for scalable infrastructure capable of delivering faster and more seamless passenger processing.

Hybrid Self Bag Drop counters integrate check-in and baggage drop into a single processing flow, reducing manual intervention and cutting passenger waiting times. Eligible passengers can also complete baggage-related payment transactions at the same counter, removing the need to visit separate airline desks.

In self-service mode, a single Hybrid Self Bag Drop counter can process around 100 to 120 passengers per hour, compared with 25 to 30 passengers per hour using conventional manual processing. This near four-fold increase in capacity supports faster baggage acceptance, smoother passenger movement and more efficient use of terminal infrastructure.

Commenting on the development, a CSMIA spokesperson said, “Baggage processing is a critical touchpoint in the departure journey. With rising passenger volumes, CSMIA is undertaking a phased transformation of its check-in and baggage drop infrastructure to enhance efficiency while retaining flexibility.”

IndiGo and Air India are currently deploying the Hybrid Self Bag Drop system at Terminal 2. International airlines including Lufthansa, Air France, Qatar Airways, SWISS and KLM are using the existing autonomous self bag drop facilities, with migration to the hybrid platform underway.

The system can also integrate with DigiYatra biometric technology, allowing enrolled passengers to use facial recognition for quicker processing and fewer manual document checks. To support the transition, trained assistants have been deployed across the terminal to guide first-time users and elderly travellers.

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