Bouquets and brickbats

Bouquets and brickbats
Nina C George
Thursday, May 21, 2009, 12:00 [IST]

There are mixed reactions from the frequent flyers about amenities available at the new airport


This is one first anniversary where there is no celebration in the air. What lingers on instead is a litany of complaints, though there definitely is an occasional voice of approval.

One year down the line, the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) has received brickbats and bouquets as well. While there are those who hail it as a blessing to the City, others think it has a long way to go before it becomes a hassle free place.

Glitches still persist both on services and hospitality fronts. For some even the distance to the airport is an issue.

The Domestic User Development Fee (UDF) has added to the strain on the purse. People say this rather be included as part of the flight charges than as a separate fee. The baggage checkpoint is another service that has to be streamlined. Passengers who check in during the wee hours of the morning say the airport is so crowded that even fetching a cup of coffee is a headache. There are those who also feel that the space inside the airport could have been better utilised. The parking space could have been bigger and better planned. And when it rains, the place is a mess.

To this Marcel Hungerbuehler, CEO, BIAL says: “The car park has been carefully planned and organised and is sufficient for the traffic that the airport handles at the moment.

Even in peak hours, not more than 80 per cent of the car park is occupied.”

Arun Ramachandran, founder and director of Eagle’s Treat advisor, says that the BIAL is definitely a welcome relief compared to what we had earlier. But he thinks the new airport seems unable to handle the volume of passenger traffic in the wee hours of the morning. He says considering the time consumed to get to the airport and more waiting time thereafter, he would rather take a train to nearby places like Chennai and Hyderabad.

H V Shetty, zonal head of Hero Honda Limited, says UDF must be included as part of the air fares. “The new airport is much larger but it must be maintained well. The distance is surely an issue with me but at the end of it when I get there I think it is all worth it,” he says.

The management of BIAL say that they have a dedicated service provider for the cleaning and maintenance of the terminal building, including the toilets. Over 250 employees are deployed in shifts, round the clock to maintain the airport.

Some passengers like Pushpa Kumar, branch head, Triton Communications says: “While the airport is stylish by itself, I must say that there’s no help when one gets there. Even the signboards aren’t placed well. It’s always a mess at the UDF counter. It would pay for the BIAL authorities to be better organised.” She adds, “The Volvo services to the airport are excellent.”

“The cab service, especially the Meru services has done well,” says T N Venkatesh, National Head, facilities, ING Vysya. “But after you get a board card it’s a hell to get past the security check and the baggage counter. And I must say that most periodicals at the book store are outdated,” says Venkatesh. Pavandeep Singh, the head for a leading automobile company, says: “It would be great if the baggage screening isn’t done at the check-in counters. It must be done well in advance. The online website has done very well.”

Aruna Kumar of Maya Academy Of Advanced Cinematics, Zonal Head, South misses the old airport, that was in the heart of the City, and says the new airport seems cut off from the rest of the City.