Bangalore Airport

Government Set To Improve Airport Infrastructure In India!

AirWhizzMay 03, 2018 No Comments

Government Set To Improve Airport Infrastructure In India!

Aviation Insider

Airports in India handled almost 300 million passengers last year which was 16.5 % more than the passengers handled in 2016.

With India set to be the 3rd largest aviation market in the world, the government has planned to grow and improve the infrastructure of airports to handle the increasing air passenger traffic.

Here are the details of what the government is doing to improve this infrastructure.

NEW TERMINALS AT CHENNAI, GUWAHATI & LUCKNOW AIRPORTS

On Wednesday, The Union Cabinet approved the proposal to upgrade airports located in Chennai, Lucknow and Guwahati.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), has given approval for new terminals at Chennai, Guwahati and Lucknow airports at a cost of Rs 2,467 crore, Rs 1,383 crore and Rs 1,232 crore, respectively.

Here are the expansion details and how it will help the respective airports –

Chennai Airport – The new terminal building at the airport will expand across 3,36,000 sq.m. The terminal will also incorporate green building features. With this expansion, the airport will be able to handle 35 million passengers annually.

Lucknow Airport – The terminal building at the airport will have a capacity to handle 13.6 million passengers annually. The New Terminal building will have an area of 88,000 sq.m.

Guwahati Airport – The new terminal building at the Guwahati airport will have an area of 1,02,500 sq.m. This will help the airport to handle 9 million passengers annually.

2ND BIGGEST AIRPORT OF INDIA WILL BE CONSTRUCTED IN MOPA, GOA

A joint team of Airports Authority Of India(AAI) and Commerce Logistics Department will be visiting Goa to facilitate the development of the new airport in Mopa.

Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Goa will benefit greatly from this airport as it will improve connectivity on the coastal belt of western India.

Mopa airport will have the capacity to handle 30 million passengers annually as well as cargo. The airport will be functional by 2020. Dabolim airport will also be upgraded with an investment of about 600 crores.

The airport in Mopa along with the Dabolim Airport, will make goa the logistics hub of India.

In the last three years, there has been a growth of 18 to 20 percent in the aviation sector. These initiatives by the government will surely help airports in India to handle this huge growth and will help position India as one of the top players in the Global aviation market.

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Flights Diverted At Kolkata Airport Due To Bad Weather!

AirWhizzMay 01, 2018 No Comments

Flights Diverted At Kolkata Airport Due To Bad Weather!

Aviation Insider

Heavy rains and crosswinds caused Kolkata airport to shut its operations on Monday morning. This resulted in flights hovering over the airport for half an hour or getting diverted.

No aircraft could take off or land between 10.18 a.m. and 10.51 a.m. because of the bad weather. The wind’s speed juggled between 62Kmph and 32Kmph, which is not ideal for aircrafts to fly in. If an airplane were to take off or land in such high wind speeds, the aircraft might skid off the runway or suffer a tyre burst.

More than 10 flights hovered over the city, waiting for the wind speed to come down. Seven of them had to be diverted to other cities.

Here are the details of the flights which were diverted –

  • Flights from Jaipur and Chennai of IndiGo airline were diverted to Bhubaneswar.
  • A flight from Mumbai and another from Bangalore, both of IndiGo, were diverted to Raipur and Patna respectively.
  • A Vistara flight from Chennai, an Air India flight from Bagdogra and a Jet Airways flight from Bangalore were diverted to Bhubaneswar.

No flight could take off during that period. A Dubai-bound flight of Emirates and an Air India flight to Delhi had to abort there take off. They both left once the weather improved.

This is the second such incident in the past few days, where flights from the Kolkata airport had to be diverted due to bad weather. Last week, strong winds and lightning at night caused seven Calcutta-bound flights to be diverted to Bhubaneswar and Guwahati. 10 other flights had to hover over Calcutta for more than 30 minutes before they could land.

If you want to know whether your flight has been delayed by bad weather the next time you fly, look no further. Simply Download the AirWhizz app and get real-time flight updates, weather updates and track your flight on the move.

Plan your trip better with us and Fly Stress-Free!

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Duty-Free Shops At 17 Indian Airports Exempted From Paying GST!

AirWhizzApr 30, 2018 No Comments

Duty-Free Shops At 17 Indian Airports Exempted From Paying GST!

Aviation Insider

Last week we mentioned how international flyers will have to pay GST for duty-free shopping at the Delhi Airport. The Authority For Advanced Ruling(AAR) had announced that ‘Duty-Free’ shops at Delhi airport will have to pay Goods and Services Tax(GST).

But it seems for now, prices of perfumes, chocolates and tobacco sold at duty-free shops in Kolkata and 16 other international airports in the country will not be increased.

Flyers purchase liquor, perfumes and tobacco at duty-free shops as they get international brands at prices that are 30-40% lower than the market. If the AAR’s decision is implemented, the price of goods other than liquor will go up by 9-14%.

Duty-Free shops were exempted from giving Central Sales Tax(CST) and Value Added Tax(VAT) prior to GST, as sales from such shops were considered as exports and beyond the custom’s limit. However, the Delhi branch of AAR has now ruled that duty-free shops are within the territory of India and hence, subject to CGST. GST rate on chocolates and perfumes is 18% and tobacco is 28%.

Here are a few facts on duty-free shops in India:

  • Liquor sales account for 80% of the total sales at Duty-free shops in India.
  • Chocolates account for 10% of the total sales followed by cigarettes and perfumes that split the rest.
  • The duty-free market in India is valued at $200 million.
  • Sales for duty-free stores at Kolkata airport is the sixth largest in India.

Retailers and owners of duty-free shops at the airport hope that the AAR’s decision is not implemented as there won’t be any difference between a duty-free shop and a store located outside the airport. Sales will reduce at duty-free shops, and it will make no sense for retailers to pay huge rentals to do business at the airport.

If you want to know more about ‘Duty-Free’ shops at your airport, simply download the AirWhizz App. Get information about places to shop and other services available at the airport for you on the move.

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‘Duty-Free’ Shops Will Now Pay GST At Delhi International Airport!

AirWhizzApr 28, 2018 No Comments

‘Duty-Free’ Shops Will Now Pay GST At Delhi International Airport!

Aviation Insider

International passengers will now have to pay goods and services tax on things bought from ‘Duty-Free’ shops at the Delhi International Airport. According to the Authority for Advanced Ruling(AAR) duty-free outlets at the Delhi Airport are not ‘free from duties’ under the current Goods and Services Tax regime.

Duty-free shops were exempted from Central Sales Tax (CST) and Value Added Tax (VAT) as the sale from such shops were considered as exports and beyond the limits of customs in India.

The AAR in a recent ruling said that the sales of goods to international passengers from “Duty-Free” shops may be taking place beyond the limits of the customs under Integrated GST Act, however, these outlets are within the territory of India under the Central GST Act.

The ruling was given by the AAR based on an application filed by Rod Retail Pvt Ltd which runs a retail outlet at Terminal 3 (International Departure) of Delhi International Airport.

Here are the highlights of the ruling –

  • The AAR said that, Rod Retail Private Ltd is within the territory of India under the Central GST Act,2017 and Customs Act, 1962
  • The Retailer is not taking goods out of India and hence their supply cannot be called ‘export’ under Integrated GST Act,2017
  • Accordingly, the shop is required to pay GST at the applicable rates

Many retailers and shop owners are not happy with this decision as they feel that ‘Duty-Free’ shops will no more be “free from duty”. This decision would bring duty-free shops at par with other shops located outside the airport even after paying a hefty rent to the airport authorities, offering no incentive for duty free shop owners.

If you want to know more about ‘Duty-Free’ shops at your airport, simply download the AirWhizz App. Get information about places to shop and other services available at the airport for you on the move.

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Fun at Bangalore Airport – A 10k Marathon on the Runway & A Plane Spotting Deck!

AirWhizzApr 27, 2018 No Comments

Fun at Bangalore Airport – A 10k Marathon on the Runway & A Plane Spotting Deck!

Aviation Insider

The Bangalore Airport, commonly known as the Kempegowda International Airport, has been an example of India’s growing infrastructure excellence. In fact, it was awarded the “Best Regional Airport in India and Central Asia” by SKYTRAX at the world airport awards in 2017.

To build on its reputation, the Bangalore airport has planned some interesting activities for you.

INDIA’S FIRST EVER RUNWAY RACE

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) will organise a race called ‘Runway 10K’ on May 8th, 2018 to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

People above the age of 18 years have been asked to register for the event, which is said to be the first of its kind race to be held on an airport runway in India.

100 participants will be selected to take part in the run, which will be held between 12.45 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.

The event has already received registrations from 400 participants. The last date for registration is April 30th, 2018.

There would be no change in flight plans or schedules due to the event because May 8th falls on a Tuesday and the airport’s runway is incidentally closed every Tuesday between 12.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m. for maintenance work.

People are looking forward to being associated with a run like this, because it has never happened before in India. This also gives KIA an opportunity to open up the airport to people other than airplane passengers as airports are restricted only to people who are travelling.

AIRPLANE SPOTTING AT THE AIRPORT

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) will soon have a plane-spotting deck for the interested public.

For now, there is no permanent place for aircraft spotting. Interested people send an e-mail to airport officials and only after the permission is given, officials take them to suitable spots to watch the movement of flights. But in future, there are plans to set up a permanent plane-spotting deck, where people can watch airplanes.

Airplane spotters will need a valid government identity proof and will have to take permission for clicking photos and videos from airport officials to get access to the deck.

Aircraft spotting is a popular hobby amongst youngsters in European countries and airports like the Munich Airport have a dedicated spotting deck for passengers and visitors.

Bangalore based airplane spotters are looking forward to this idea being implemented and believe it’s a good initiative as several people are interested in watching airplanes and are inquisitive about how an aircraft lands and takes off. It is also a good opportunity for children to learn about how airplanes and airports function and will motivate them to become pilots in the future.

If you want to know more about the Bangalore airport, simply download the AirWhizz app. Get information on things to do at the Airport on your fingertips via the App itself and Fly Stress-Free!

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New Trial Plan To Ease Traffic Jams At Chennai Airport!

AirWhizzApr 16, 2018 No Comments

New Trial Plan To Ease Traffic Jams At Chennai Airport!

Aviation Insider

In a bid to ease traffic jams near the Chennai airport, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) will conduct a two-day trial of a new traffic pattern on Monday and Tuesday. There will be separate entry and exit points to the domestic and international terminals.

Passengers travelling to the Chennai airport on Monday and Tuesday afternoon, between 2 pm to 5 pm, will have to follow a new traffic route to reach the airport terminals.

The AAI wants to first try out a new traffic management system to handle airport traffic as a pilot and then implement it permanently if it is a success. A survey will be conducted during the trial period on the flow of vehicles.

This trial will help AAI understand how the traffic flow will work on the ground. The results of the survey will be analyzed to find out if any changes need to be done to the traffic pattern. The new traffic arrangement will be implemented in two weeks’ time if it’s a success.

Here are the changes that are going to be implemented for these 2 days –

  • The vehicles that come to domestic and international terminals will enter the airport using two entries
  • These entries will be routed via two new ramps that connect to the flyover in front of the terminals
  • Cars picking up passengers at the domestic terminal need not drive past the international terminal to exit the airport
  • An additional entry for the international terminal has been created for the vehicles coming from Tambaram.
  • All vehicles queuing up to drive down the flyover will have separate exit routes
  • AAI has set up new checkpoints at the three entry-exit points of the airport from GST Road
  • The roads inside the airport campus have been filled up with markings to guide cars to the parking lots in front of the domestic and international arrival halls on the ground floor.

The move was part of the original airport expansion plan and the ramps that link the road to the flyover in front of the terminals were ready a few months ago, but AAI wanted to wait till the metro station was completed and train services started. They also waited for the new toll booths to be installed according to the new traffic plan.

These toll booths are essential as they monitor the time each vehicle takes to enter and exit the airport. If a vehicle spends over 12 minutes inside the airport premises, then a parking fee must be paid. AAI hopes that the new pattern of vehicle flow will help reduce the complaint of cab drivers that they are not able to exit from the airport campus in less than 10 minutes due to congestion.

The congestions at the Chennai airport was caused by the 20,000 to 30,000 cars that it received every day. Hopefully, this pilot run will help in easing the traffic and will reduce delays and congestions at the airport once it is implemented in the future.

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Baggage That Requires Special Handling Will Be Charged A Fee At Dubai Airport!

AirWhizzApr 12, 2018 No Comments

Baggage That Requires Special Handling Will Be Charged A Fee At Dubai Airport!

Aviation Insider

If you find yourself traveling out of Dubai any time soon, make sure you pack some extra cash because a new fee has been introduced by Dubai National Air Transport Association(DNATA) at Dubai Airport.

So, if your luggage is not of the standard size & weight and if it requires special handling then you will have to pay more. The DNATA  Wednesday confirmed of this news and have announced that a new fee policy for ‘Out of Gauge’ has been implemented by Dubai airport.

Out of gauge or OOG baggage is the luggage that might be very heavy, too large, very light, fragile, does not have at least 1 flat surface or can damage or slow down the baggage handling management system. Basically, baggage that is outside the standard dimensions for airport luggage and cannot be sorted out by normal conveyor belts come under this category.  Items such as flat screen televisions, large blankets, and sports equipment are examples of such luggage.

According to the DNATA, airlines flying to some of the Asian countries receive a lot of OOG luggage like blankets, broomsticks and huge TV sets. Additional infrastructure and manpower was initially provided to handle OOG baggage. However, due to a high rise in such luggage being flown out, companies were forced to charge for the service for handling this baggage manually.

It is now up to carriers to decide whether they want to pass on the cost to the passengers or not and how they want the payment to be collected. Passengers will have to go to their carrier’s website for further details. The extra fee will be charged from passengers once the airlines renew their contracts with DNATA.

Airlines flying to same destinations have to renew their contracts at different times and those who do it early will be affected the first. DNATA did not provide the charges it is taking from different airlines and cannot comment on behalf of the airlines. However, DNATA insisted that passengers will be charged only if the carriers choose to do so.

Air India, has set the fee at DH45 per piece for such baggage but the fee may vary for other carriers depending on their contracts with DNATA.

For the benefit of the passenger, Emirates has revised its excess baggage charges. The changes are applicable for those who have booked their tickets on or after April 8, 2018. They have also doubled the discount on the purchase of additional baggage allowance online to 20%.

In case you want to know your airline’s baggage policies, look no further. Simply download the AirWhizz App and get information about your airline policies and rules on the move. Plan your trip smartly and Fly Stress-Free.

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Only 6 Indian Airports Equipped To Defuse Bombs!

AirWhizzApr 10, 2018 No Comments

Only 6 Indian Airports Equipped To Defuse Bombs!

Aviation Insider

There were concerns about the aviation security and passenger safety after an audit was conducted by a parliamentary agency. The audit found out that only six out of  59 airports that are guarded by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) are fully equipped to defuse and dispose of explosives.

According to the audit, the Bomb Detection and Disposable Squad(BDDS) is operational at airports in Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Cochin. Chennai and Kolkata airports are taken care of by the Airport Authority of India, while in the remaining 4 cities the airports are run by private companies.

According to the rules of the Bureau for Civil Aviation Security(BCAS), for the BDDS to be operational, Airports require 28 pieces of equipment including explosive vapor detectors, bomb disposal suits, and remote-operated vehicles. The required equipment is available at only the six airports mentioned above. The CISF provides security cover to 59 airports out of 98 airports in  India that are operational.

According to the rules, even if one equipment is not available, the squad cannot be made functional. The CISF has written to the AAI, BCAS and civil aviation ministry, asking them to provide this crucial equipment as soon as possible.

The absence of a functional bomb disposal squad at the airport poses a potential risk to aviation security and passengers. The CISF has to take the help of a bomb disposal team from the nearest police station, in case there is a bomb scare or a threat. This causes a delay in the securities response to the bomb threat.

Kempagowda International Airport in Bengaluru, which is run under a private-public partnership, does not have a functional bomb detection and disposal squad. This is reported because the airport houses only 24 of the 28 equipment’s required.

According to the Bangalore International Airport Ltd(BIAL), the requirement of three of the four pieces of equipment is under deliberation with the Government. The fourth item has a long lead time and will be procured shortly.

Even the airports that operate under Airports Authority of India(AAI) lack some of the bomb diffusing equipment such as explosive vapor detectors and remote-operated vehicles. The AAI has procured 18-21 bomb detection and disposal squad equipment for 13 AAI airports, but they will be procuring the 2 pieces of equipment mentioned above and the squads will be operational by September this year at 18 AAI operated airports as part of the first phase. The remaining equipment for the airport will be purchased in phase 2.

CISF was created in 1969 and has been providing security to airports, government buildings, seaports and power plants amongst others. The Air Passenger Association Of India has been pushing the BCAS for a long time to give the CISF all the equipment required to protect and safeguard air passengers.

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