Kolkata Airport

It would be a wonderful treat if the Airports Authority of India people would find time to check their dictionaries for the term "transit". My experience arriving from Dhaka and flying onward to Dubai involved Jet Airways personnel having to retrieve my case from the carousel fill in a form (in duplicate with old-fashioned carbon paper) and then walk with me to international departures (along the apron). There despite having a boarding pass for my EK flight issued by Jet Airways in Dhaka I was escorted by Emirates staff to the check-in area (by-passing immigration) where my suitcase was re-labelled and a new boarding pass was issued.

I use the international terminal twice a year (4 times if you consider arrival and departure) connecting from Frankfurt Bangkok or Dhaka It's just a sad airport. The officials are glum morose wouldn't smile wouldn't greet. Toilets are unworthy - how difficult is it to construct and maintain standard toilets? The international departure lounge is small and dingy and devoid of shops and eateries. Early this year I even witnessed an altercation between a passenger and a security personnel that was allowed to go on for almost half an hour - it ended in a fisticuff! I know the domestic terminal is better but that does not help me. I love Kolkata follow its development and have used the international terminal on and off over the last 35 years. Some superficial changes were done but nothing in essence has changed over these years. I say even if you cannot afford the glitter and space of Bangkok KL HK Seoul or Dubai at least offer a smile to the weary traveller. I try to fly direct avoiding transfers at Delhi or Mumbai but I am finding it increasingly difficult to get a straight flight from outside. I have seen some sketches of a new terminal that promises to be of international standard. I hope I will be able to step through it in my lifetime!

It is not a modern airport by any stretch of imagination and the services offered are admittedly basic. You will not be spoilt for choices while shopping duty free for example. It is however relatively small functions smoothly convenient efficient and hassle free for an airport offering immigration and customs services. Staff are generally helpful efficient and polite. Any one with experience of rigorous Indian security checks before and after a flight will understand why this is my preferred airport in India. As in USA luggage transfer is not automatic for international transit passengers and getting a prepaid taxi is the best option out of the airport to the city. Domestic terminal is five minute's walking distance from the international terminal. It is newer larger and much busier than the international terminal.

Arrived from Singapore into terminal - run down and very different from Mombai airport. Immigration official was not friendly - fortunately I carried many proof that I was on legitimate business. Outside it was total chaos and I was glad my local contacts picked me up.

Used 4 times in October whilst on a tour. The airbridges are not working either for arrivals or departures so short bus ride to an efficient immigration counter and then on to large (6 belts?) luggage area. Baggage out quickly on both occasions then a short walk through to taxi/coach area. Departures are a bit of a nightmare because of strict security and the fact there is little room landside/airside when more than two aircraft are due out.T he executive/business lounge(?) for BA Emirates etc is landside but you can check in at the lounge which saves the big hastle with luggage queues etc. Lounge is very poor - coffee/tea/soft drinks with veg/nonveg samosas only and the loos were without paper and awash - and this in an Executive Lounge! You are not called through until your incoming aircraft has landed and once through passport control (quick with 10 desks) you pass through further security to a small holding area with tiny snack shop a duty free area and seating before boarding. Your duty free is delivered to you as you hand in your boarding passes when leaving. You wouldn't want to be stuck there with a delay. You are bussed to your aircraft and be prepared for a bumpy take off - the runway is very uneven.

Arrival officials were very courteous. A large number of luggage carts available free. The arrival area was clean though did not look anywhere near the modern and the high-tech US airports that I am so used to. There were taxi wallahs who came in as soon as we went out of the airport but stopped bothering us as soon as we told them that someone was there to receive us. The departure lounge was clean and had comfortable chairs but was not large enough for the British Airways Boeing 777. There was one gift shop that was too small but some nice stuff at reasonable prices. Unfortunately there was no other shop or restaurant worth the name. In other words compared to an international airport anywhere in the civilized world this airport will probably score a 3 on a scale of 1 to 10 for passenger comfort. The security checks were thorough. There was a stall that shrink-wrapped all bags for a nominal fee. If this airport added a few world-class restaurants and expanded the sitting area Calcutta airport would earn a lot more goodwill from the passengers.

Passed through Kolkata airport again last week when flying to Chittagong on GMG. The airport really is rubbish. Nobody helps or smiles most of the staff seem to spend their time chatting to each other and using up all the chairs provided for passengers. Airside there is nothing - not even the putative tea station was open so you are just stuck in this room with no information and no refreshments. What is it with India and airports?

Intl-Domestic transfer. For those new to Kolkata please note that the domestic and international terminals are almost next to each other. Taxi wallahs outside will try to get you to take a taxi but you dont need one- its a 5 minute walk and unless its raining its quite pleasant to walk.

I visited CCU airport this winter. The arrival area was dirty but luggage retrieval smooth. The departure area was so small that line extended almost to outside the international airport terminal. Departure booking area was good and clean immigration check points were also OK. But departure lounge was too small for BA flight. I had to sit on the floor during security check. Is it too much to have Kolkata badly needs a medium size international terminal.

I just could not believe it. Such a large city which is mal-administered and the airport (both international and domestic) is puny ugly overcrowded and a shame on a city which even in 1960's was a pinnacle which other cites in Asia used to look up to. Is this because at the expense of Calcutta (Kolkata) the other cities where the effective politicians lived became great.