‘BIA needs international facilities’

‘BIA needs international facilities’ ...like more seats, airline lounges, computer facilities, increased capacity and so on, feel readers

Improve design and aesthetics
A second phase of expansion is badly needed. A new terminal with larger floor area than the current one is needed to handle traffic at world-class levels. Vertical-level separation for arrivals and departure should be incorporated in the next terminal. I SRINATH
The new airport totally lacks facilities as well as aesthetics as compared to the ones in Singapore and Dubai. The airport needs more runways, more passenger handling capacity, lounges, airline counters, and toilet and bath facilities. BIA needs one more terminal and it should reduce parking, ground-handling charges and user-development charges. I SRIDHAR
Create separate access roads for arrivals and departures: I was shocked to see this basic design aspect missing. Departures are usually at the upper level, so traffic should directly be able to go to the upper level. The announcements are chaotic and in loud booming voices, primarily due to poor acoustics. Also, it’s hard to figure out which airlines are on which side of the departure hall, which also needs more seating space. I MAHESH SINGH
The Bengaluru International Airport lacks basic infrastructure like a covered area at the entrance for those accompanying a passenger. It affects people who commute. I VIA SMS
BIA requires total upgradation. Everything needs to be changed especially the airport building as it looks worse than a storeroom. I ASHU
More world-class facilities
BIA still lacks facilities like international standard toilets, computer facilities, a business-class lounge, etc. The BIA should not become another domestic airport like HAL Airport which doesn’t posses the standard of sophisticated international airports. I B S RAGHAVENDRA RAO
Improve drinking-water facilities and rest rooms. Information about arrivals and departures should be made available at the parking lots too. Security system should be tightened. I TARUN K JAIN Improve the toilets first for no one dares to enter them as they smell so bad. At least, make good toilets so that one can freshen up before going to board any flight. I KANIKA
Have you thought about a SEZ or a proper duty-free zone (not the usual one you find in most Indian airports) or is it too much for Bangalore? Come on, Bangalore deserves more. I AJITH SUNGHAY
Increase terminal capacity
The BIA in its present form is going to face a severe space crunch in the coming years because, according to reports, the airport, as it is now, can handle just about 10 million passengers whereas the passenger traffic for the year 2007-08 is estimated to be 11 million. There is going to be an increased inflow of tourist and business people in the city as Bangalore is the IT capital of India. Hence, the projected passenger traffic for the coming years could even go up to 14 million. As such, BIAL’s first priority should be to increase the capacity of terminals to avoid congestion. I USHA G RAO
The BIA should have a second runway and, also, Air Traffic Control towers to cater to the needs of cargo and domestic flights. I R GURU RAO
Beef up security systems
Never ignore the safety and security of passengers. Bangalore, although a peaceloving area, has off late become a target for terrorists. Therefore, install highly sophisticated and scientific instruments to nab trouble shooters. The second phase of work should incorporate worldclass aesthetic standards, both internally and externally. I JAGADISH KALMATH
With global terrorism lurking around security and safety measures should be in tune with international standards. Provide an exclusive waiting lounge for cancelled and delayed flights, availability of certain basic needs like food, in particular, during night time, should be more affordable. I MANJUNATH
Just functional, not awesome
We recently saw Singapore Changi Airport’s Terminal 3 that opened earlier this year. Only one word describes it — awesome. Step into one end, and you will find it difficult to see the other end; the incredible sense of space amazes. It is evidently built to take care of capacity for another 20 years.
Terminal 2 is itself amazing. All terminals have lovely orchids everywhere, and landscaped areas. There are children’s play areas, free internet terminals with laptops all over, and massive plasma TV screens with plush seating around it. It’s unfair to call it an airport. It’s almost a mall with an airport attached to it.
In comparison to Changi, US airports look almost shabby. At best functional. Which is what Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is — functional.
After flying from New York’s Kennedy Airport to Singapore’s T3, Thomas L Friedman wrote in May in the New York Times: “We felt like we had just flown from the Flintstones to the Jetsons.” BIA needs to become another Jetsons, if it is to be another Asian airline hub.
I ALICE MATHEW
EXPERTSPEAK

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, CMD, Biocon
Dedicate Terminal 1 to domestic flights. Design Terminal 2 for international flights only and to accommodate widebodied aircraft. We need to factor A380s landing at Terminal 2. The ratio of toilets to passenger traffic is very low at Terminal 1. This needs to be increased and the toilets themselves need to be better designed. The baggage area needs to provide for larger spaces between baggage belts. Terminal 1 has very few airline lounges, especially in the international section. Terminal 2 should provide more airline lounges.


Devesh Agarwal, aviation expert
The second terminal at BIA needs to have what’s called the WOW factor. A multi-level terminal is critical with a clear demarcation of the departure terminal on the upper level and an arrival terminal on the lower level. Both approach and exit roads for the two terminals should have dedicated traffic lanes for passenger cars, buses and taxis, with well-connected walkways and a permanent covered roofing for all seasons.


Amit Bagaria, chairman, Asipac Group
There needs to be more space between the check-in counters, as at the current terminal building the space is so limited that everybody bangs in to one another. Better-quality toilets is imperative. In the arrival area, there needs to be more escalators to get to the baggage claim area for the benefit of senior citizens.