Bangalore International Airport
Every time I’ve visited Bangalore in the last four years while returning home for holidays, I’ve found something new, something better. If you have an eye for it, you’ll notice that there have been many improvements in, especially, the last couple of years (I wouldn’t want to remember my experience the first time—it was embarrassing). Some of the good ones are:
- The dress-code for immigration officers and their style of work has vastly improved and they appear to be trained well. I even had a hearty chat with one of them on my way back. It was only during the conversation did I realize that the officers are actually policemen now trained for immigration.
- Service inside the airport has improved a lot. My wife and I were with our two kids, and the younger one, four months old, was on Sneha’s shoulder strapped-baby carrier. A couple of officers ushered us ahead of the queue and helped my wife take a seat while I got the passports stamped. How wonderful!
- The check-in counter staff are quite helpful and even compliment you if you have pre-confirmed your flight, and have requested most things before hand such as your choice of meal and bassinet, etc.
- The paper quality and information to be filled-out on Immigration forms are vastly improved–to the extent that they’re commendable.
- There’s now a coffee-shop (by Coffee Day) inside the departure waiting lounge.
- The seating is now increased inside the only departure (waiting) lounge.
- For most of the flights (both arrival and departure), they now use connecting bridges.
- There are better wheel-chairs and service staff for the disabled/injured passengers. I even saw the staff helping a disabled lady in wheel-chair taken down the floor with great care esp where the floor profile changed.
- The airport has a (painfully obvious) better security.
If you overlook the fact that your passport and security-stamp get checked by every other policeman or officer before you depart to your destination, it’s actually quite nice. Even though the these checks are irritating sometimes, I’d like to believe it’s for our own good. My wife tells me that Indian police is among the best in identifying fake passports.
In addition, some improvements like these would really help and elevate the level of our airports:
- Wider and a couple more conveyers to receive luggage and space for putting aside yet-to-be-claimed baggage.
- Larger trolleys for luggage. The existing are too small and often the luggage hits the ground when we have more baggage.
- Better, simpler customs check and staff (some are really nice, I might add).
- For the next silicon valley of the world, a free WiFi internet service or some free internet kiosks in the check-in, departure hall is a must. I’m sure this is a piece of cake for private companies to offer it and along with advertising their service. I wonder why no-one seems to think of it yet?
- A couple more public telephones inside the building would ease the last minute calling queues.
Overall, I’m happy to see that Bangalore International Airport is getting there. I saw the new airport plans sometime ago, and I was blown away. They’re awesome!
Bangalore airport - domestic and international - has really improved. I completely agree with you. The cleanliness,compared to other airports around the country,is also better- especially Delhi.
Sep 6, 04 at 20:15Good to hear so many good things about Bangalore’s airport. I have never been but the airport that I was greatly impressed by was Indore Airport. Very clean — and the many things that you mentioned for Bangalore was there as well. Its good that they are doing these improvements — still compared to the world we are quite behind in such aspects.
Sep 7, 04 at 00:38Great to know that B’lore airport now has a much needed face lift, first when I used B’lore airport (1997) I still remember one of those so called “airport offical” at the security checks (body scan) begging for money, it was so humiliating.
Bangalore needs a seperate International airport, any news about it?
Sep 7, 04 at 06:16Sunrayz: Yes, they’re really doing it well, it’s heartening to note.
Poonam: I’ve heard about Indore, never been there. Every small thing counts. Ofcourse a modern building with full amenities would be nice, but if the service is good, it more than makes up for the rest of it.
Suman: The body scan still persists
The only consolation is that it’s done for everyone. Begging for money is not seen in the last 3 years or so. Most rotten apples thrown away, I guess.
There will be a seperate international airport at Devanahalli near Jakkur flying club. The schedules, however, may be delayed due to political changes in the state government (which is unfortunate). There’s more info here on the new international airport (designed by Kaufmann van der Meer AG).
Sep 7, 04 at 09:43Hi Chetanya,
Your blog’s got a real nice look now and well organised.
Good to hear that you had a great stay in India.
Congratulations on the new home. Pots pictures of your new home and your India trip, especially your pictures in belgaum…haven’t been to Bgm in the last 3 yrs.
Reena and Jai are doing well here. We are setling
Hi to Sneha & love to Aarya & Saanvi.
Take Care
-Srish
PS: Do you have Rakesh Tergundi’s contact details.
Sep 9, 04 at 00:15Never been to Bangalore..but the plans for the airport looked cool
Sep 9, 04 at 04:55Hi Chetan
Sep 9, 04 at 12:45My last visit to Bangalore international aiport was 17 May 2002. Since then I never took flight from Bangalore. Nice to know these improvements!! Just a last one. Still Mosquitoes humm around in waiting Lobby!!!
Srish—Thanks!. Will post pictures soon. I’ve sent you an email with Rakya’s contact.
Sep 10, 04 at 17:07Padmakar—No mosquitos this time.
There is no doubt that things are getting better & better.. I second the idea of good encouragement & acknowledgement. Despite amazing improvements to Bgl. infrastructure ( particularly the surrounding highways and the city roads) to accomodate the new rush.. I find there is a big vacuum in communication and coordination between the Traffic police and the commuters to ensure any practical safe standards for motoring. I noticed mostly that the traffic police is almost helpless and spectator to traffic violations …. Can we do something to suggest attention… With great new highways ( i drove between Bgl & Salem Nh-7) & multi-lane concept, i felt that the users have no clue to the risks they pose not only to themselves but several others… Or is it that we have to wait patiently and let learn the lessons in the harder way???
Sep 13, 04 at 23:48Rajgopal—Traffic violations, jumping signals occur in Bangalore because there’s nobody monitoring. Take Mumbai traffic police. They’re are biker cops and they can catch you if you jump. We don’t seem to have biker traffic police (could be a simpler solution compared to cameras).
Sep 14, 04 at 07:18[...] [...]
Sep 30, 04 at 07:47