14 Hybrid Self Bag Drop counters are opened by CSMIA at T2.

A significant step toward improving departure processing through technology-led solutions has been taken with the opening of 14 Hybrid Self Bag Drop (SBD) counters at Terminal 2 (T2) of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai. Hybrid SBD counters are a component of CSMIA‘s staged plan to convert all 212 of T2’s current check-in desks to hybrid formats by 2028. Optimising terminal space, expanding baggage processing capacity, and improving flexibility in handling varying passenger loads during peak and off-peak times are the objectives of the effort.

The deployment comes after the airport’s self-service luggage facilities saw a sharp increase in use. From 388,446 passengers in 2024 to 560,275 passengers in 2025, the use of autonomous SBD rose by 40%, underscoring the necessity of scalable infrastructure to facilitate quicker and more efficient passenger processing.

The Hybrid SBD counters cut down on manual intervention and passenger wait times by combining baggage drop and check-in into a single processing flow. Additionally, the technology streamlines processing and lessens dependency on separate airline desks by allowing qualified passengers to conduct baggage-related payment operations at the same counter.

Compared to 25 to 30 passengers per hour through traditional manual processing, a single Hybrid SBD counter operating in self-service mode can handle roughly 100 to 120 passengers per hour, yielding a nearly four-fold increase in baggage handling capacity. Faster luggage acceptance, more seamless passenger flow, and more effective use of terminal infrastructure are all supported by this enhancement.

Because each Hybrid SBD counter is built for operational flexibility and has a straightforward method for switching between manual and self-service modes, airport and airline teams can balance efficiency and individualised help according to operational needs.

CSMIA official stated, “Baggage processing is a critical touchpoint in the departure journey. In order to improve efficiency while maintaining flexibility, CSMIA is undergoing a phased overhaul of its check-in and luggage drop infrastructure in response to growing passenger loads. We can adjust capacity to meet demand while still providing assistance to passengers who need it thanks to hybrid self-bag drop stations.”

At the moment, Air India and IndiGo have chosen to install the Hybrid SBD system at T2. While the transition to the Hybrid SBD platform is in progress, international airlines such as Lufthansa, Air France, Qatar, Swiss, and KLM are currently utilising the current autonomous SBD capability.

In order to expedite processing and minimise manual document checks, enrolled passengers can utilise facial recognition when the Hybrid SBD system is connected with DigiYatra biometric technology. CSMIA has placed trained SBD assistants throughout the terminal to assist travellers throughout the changeover by assisting senior citizens and first-time users with the self-service procedure.

Hybrid SBD counters, which are in line with international airport standards for speed, convenience, and dependability, are another way that CSMIA is improving operating efficiency at T2 while creating scalable capacity to accommodate future passenger demand.