India Aims to Streamline Immigration to Boost Airports as Transit Hubs -

India is set to simplify immigration rules and increase the number of officials at major airports to expedite the entry and exit process for international travellers. The government’s initiative aims to develop Indian airports, particularly Delhi and Mumbai, into prominent South Asian transit hubs. The strategy, known as the “confluence of flights,” will allow passengers travelling on connecting flights under the same ticket number to complete customs and immigration checks only at their first point of departure and their final destination, even if there is a layover.

This change will significantly reduce the time passengers spend on immigration checks at intermediary points, such as when travelling from Bengaluru to San Francisco with a stopover in Delhi. Currently, passengers must undergo immigration checks at the layover airport, which adds considerable time to their journey and affects airline schedules. By streamlining this process, the government hopes to improve operational efficiency and enhance the passenger experience.

Enhanced Infrastructure and Technological Integration

To support this initiative, the government is increasing the number of immigration officials and counters at major airports. This redistribution of immigration functions is expected to rationalise resources and alleviate the workload on staff at busy airports like Delhi and Mumbai. which handle most of the country’s international flights.