Mumbai Airport Customs will soon implement an automated system to cut customs clearance time for international passengers from 10 minutes to 5. The new system, called CAPIT, uses artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to replace manual profiling and random checks. Baggage will now be electronically flagged and linked to passenger records, eliminating the need for physical markings and streamlining the entire process.

These developments were shared during a talk on “Airport Passenger Infrastructure through Innovation”, held in Mumbai on June 11 and 12. The event was attended by over 3,000 participants from the aviation, infrastructure, and regulatory sectors, including representatives from Mumbai Customs, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, and terminal heads from both Mumbai and Navi Mumbai airports.

With over 2,200 aircraft currently on order, India’s air traffic is expected to grow sharply over the next two decades. This growth presents dual challenges, firstly, maintaining strict border security and secondly, ensuring efficient travel for compliant passengers. Mumbai Airport already handles around 22,000 to 25,000 international passengers daily, making efficiency improvements critical.