Seoul: South Korea's transport ministry announced the implementation of a new system in collaboration with the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that enables air travelers from Incheon to Atlanta to connect to onward flights without reclaiming and rechecking their baggage. The system aims to streamline the process for passengers and enhance their travel experience.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry has launched an international remote baggage screening (IRBS) system in partnership with the TSA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This system allows X-ray images of checked baggage taken at Incheon International Airport to be transmitted to the United States in advance. Security officials in the U.S. can screen the luggage before the aircraft's arrival, and if no issues are detected, the baggage is directly transferred to connecting flights.
Previously, passengers transiting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport were required to collect their luggage, undergo searches, and then check their baggage again with connecting airlines. This new system eliminates those steps, providing a more seamless experience for travelers.
Incheon International Airport, located west of Seoul, is South Korea's main gateway and has become the third airport in the world to introduce an IRBS system for flights to the U.S., following Sydney International Airport and London's Heathrow Airport. The Incheon-Atlanta route is operated daily by Korean Air Co. and Delta Air Lines Inc., both of which participated in testing the remote screening system.
The South Korean ministry plans to collaborate with U.S. counterparts to expand the program to other routes, aiming to further enhance efficiency and convenience for international travelers.