Air India announced a significant enhancement in its passenger service by partnering with Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) and Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) to extend its check-in service for international passengers. Starting from today, this service, previously available only for domestic travellers, will be accessible at two Delhi metro stations: New Delhi and Shivaji Stadium, operating between 7 am and 9 pm.
New Service Allows Air India International Travellers to Check In Luggage at Metro Stations
The collaboration allows international travellers to check in their luggage at these metro stations, giving them the freedom to explore the city without the burden of their baggage. This initiative leverages a secure and automated infrastructure designed by DMRC and DIAL to ensure the smooth transfer of baggage from the metro station to the aircraft.
Rajesh Dogra, Chief Customer Experience Officer at Air India, stated, “Our partnership with DMRC and DIAL stands testament to our commitment to offering passengers an enhanced and seamless travel experience. This initiative not only provides a cost-effective option for travellers coming from distant locations but also helps control congestion at the airport, leading to a better experience for all our customers. Further to the technology interventions partnered and implemented by Air India and DIAL, such as DigiYatra and Self-Baggage Drop machines at airport terminals, this initiative will significantly enhance the convenience and satisfaction of our customers.”
For domestic flights, passengers can avail of the check-in facility between 12 hours to 2 hours before the scheduled departure time. For international flights, the check-in window is between 4 hours to 2 hours before departure. The Delhi Metro, with a frequency of 10 minutes, ensures a quick transfer, taking only 19 minutes to reach the departure level at Delhi airport’s Terminal 3, making travel faster and hassle-free.
In addition to this new service, Air India has recently revised its policy regarding free check-in baggage allowance on domestic flights. The allowance for the lowest economy fare segment has been reduced from 20kg to 15kg, aligning with the menu-based pricing model fare families introduced last August. Previously, passengers on domestic flights were allowed to carry 25kg of check-in baggage without any extra fees. This change brings Air India’s policy in line with other domestic carriers like IndiGo, Vistara, and SpiceJet, which provide a free check-in baggage allowance of 15 kg.
The airline has introduced three fare groups – Comfort, Comfort Plus, and Flex – each offering different benefits and fare restrictions at various price levels. Starting May 2, the free check-in baggage allowance for the ‘Comfort’ category has been decreased from 20 kg to 15 kg, and for the ‘Comfort Plus’ category, it has been reduced from 25 kg to 15 kg.
“This initiative will enable in saving money and time,” Dogra added. “It significantly enhances the convenience for our customers by providing a cost-effective option for travellers coming from distant locations and helps in controlling congestion at the airport.”
With these strategic partnerships and service enhancements, Air India continues to demonstrate its dedication to improving passenger experiences and maintaining its competitive edge in the aviation industry.
