The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has initiated a ₹165-crore procurement process to install 52 Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) lanes, aimed at improving passenger movement through airport security checkpoints.
According to a *Business Standard* report published on October 10, 2026, the tender covers the supply, installation, integration, testing and commissioning of the systems. Interested bidders have until October 22 to submit their proposals.
ATRS technology automatically returns trays used by passengers to place their belongings during security screening. Automating this process can reduce manual handling, improve tray availability and help security checkpoints manage passenger flows more efficiently.
The proposed contract includes a one-year on-site warranty, followed by seven years of comprehensive maintenance and spare-parts support.
While ATRS facilities are already available at several major airports, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad, their deployment remains uneven across AAI-managed airports. The latest procurement aims to extend automation to 52 selected screening lanes within the authority’s airport network.
The initiative forms part of the broader modernisation of India’s airport infrastructure, with a focus on operational efficiency and the passenger experience. The actual impact will depend on the airports selected, installation timelines and integration with existing security screening systems.
