JOIN USBeckoning the holiday flying crowd, part of the Kempegowda International Airport here has just turned a ‘Playport, a rollicking mix of discovery, fun and creativity. The idea, articulated in this year's theme is clear: Let the young travellers take back ‘Happy Experiences.'
The passenger numbers have swelled this season, and a whole lot of them are young and teenaged. To get their attention, the airport has splashed a range of entertainment options across the departure terminal.
Right outside the terminal lies a giant, inflated life-size surfing board. But the children flocking around it had no idea about what was in store inside the terminal. If they knew, they would head straight to ‘Feel the Rush,’ a unique Virtual Reality (VR) experience designed to mimic a parachute jump from the skies.
The waiting passengers, regardless of age, could also dive into a makeshift Snooker Football setup or indulge in online games such as Kancha Returns. Besides, magic shows, tattoo artists and caricature artists are lined up to complete the Playport experience. The activities will stay alive till May 15.
BIAL had first launched the ‘Playport’ concept in 2011. The second edition in 2012 revolved around the theme of Malgudi Days and introduced guests to the games of South India. Last year's edition was based on the concept of ‘Then & Now,’ which combined the games of yesteryears with the latest digital games.
DH News Service
Automatic Tray Retrieval System
To speed up the rush at the security gates, a unique Automatic Tray Retrieval System (ATRS) has been introduced as a trial at the airport. A passenger could complete the frisking and security clearance of his/her hand baggage in about 25 seconds, making the process much faster. KIA is the first airport to start the trial.
Here's how it works: The passenger puts the bag, mobile phone, wallet and other belong ings into a tray. The conveyor automatically takes the tray to a screen. If any suspicious article is found, the tray is automatically diverted to a reject line at the end of which a second screen shows the articles in detail. The passenger could respond to security questions once he/she completes the frisking. The existing process requires manual intervention to spot any suspicious articles. The security personnel would then call out the passengers, slowing down the process. If approved by the regulatory authority, the new ATRS is expected to be introduced at all the 18 security gates in three months.