Bengaluru International Airport completes 100 days of commercial operations

Gaining fast credence as Bangalore’s own Airport from the aviation community including travelers and airlines, Bengaluru International Airport completed 100 days of commercialoperations today. The Airport has so far seen 2.42 million passengers, 29446 air craft movements, and the handling of 44357 Metric tones of cargo besides seeing an encouraging 30% increase in international airlines and air freight carriers into the city.

The growth, though declining owing to the overall upheaval of the aviation sector in the last several months, has been encouraging.

Passengers say “aye” to Bengaluru International Airport

Citing the first hundred days as a whirlwind journey, Albert Brunner, CEO, BIAL said that the customer feedback has proven to be the Company’s biggest trump card. Referring to a customer survey conducted by the Airport in July, Albert Brunner said, “Whereas we had several teething problems in the first few weeks, the situation has improved very fast. The passengers have indicated a high level of satisfaction with the new airport. They have specially been appreciative of the check-in procedures, courtesy of airport staff and the overall ambience of the airport”.

Transportation services to and from Bengaluru International Airport have silenced the worst critic and have won accolades. The convenient BMTC services have seen an increase of 10 air conditioned buses now totaling to 50 since the start of the Airport in May and three additional routes from the city to the airport; while BIAL’s concessionaires Meru and Easy Cabs have added 810 cars now totaling to 900 to their fleet.

In addition, Bangalore became the first ever city in India to witness the launch of helicopter services by Deccan Aviation and Global Vectra Helicorp Limited, for the convenience of the corporate traveler.

Passengers have appreciated the efficiency of the arrival and departure processes at the new Airport. Initial days saw hiccups in the area of ground handling – including baggage handling, and turnaround time of ground staff on the airside. However, these issues have been addressed as priority, with the maximum average wait time for passengers for domestic baggage claim being pegged at 16 minutes and 29 minutes for International arrivals.

The seating capacity of the Airport in the departure area is over 1400 seats, not including seating in the lounge area, F&B spots and other sections of the airport. The coming months will see the launch of the Kingfisher Lounge which will further add to the comfort of the frequent flyer, taking the number of lounges at the Airport to two.

Over and above other improvements the number of restrooms has increased by 70% at the airport.

“We are yet to see passenger traffic hit the peak hour capacity at our Airport,” said Albert Brunner. Peak hour at the Airport constitutes 30% of the total operational hours currently, leaving plenty of scope to rationalize flight schedules and even out peak hours through the day, thereby eliminating capacity constraints at the Airport. “Besides, the use of new technologies i.e. Inline baggage screening, flexible use of check-in counters etc. by airlines and the adequate positioning of security and airline staff will speed up the arrival and departure processes significantly, thereby enabling quicker and more efficient flow of traffic that aids capacity management.”

Introduction of new routes

The last three months have seen the introduction of four new international air carriers into Bangalore making new destinations directly accessible to air travelers. These include Dragon Air, Tiger Airways, Oman Air and Air Mauritius, taking the number of international carriers from Bangalore to fourteen – the highest in South India.

On the domestic front, two new direct routes to destinations including Visakhapatnam and Baroda have been introduced enhancing convenience of travelers.

Cargo operations in full swing

The Airport is equipped with two separate cargo terminal facilities build and operated by Menzies Aviation Bobba Pvt Ltd and Air India SATS Joint Venture Consortium. The former has an initial capacity to handle 150,000 metric tons of cargo, while the latter has a two floor warehouse with a capacity of 200,000- metric tons. This capacity is twice Bangalore’s current annual cargo requirement.

Over 360 freighter flights (international and domestic) have operated from Bengaluru International Airport since it began commercial operations on May 24. Of these, two new freighters flights, Expo air and Jett8 Cargo have been introduced since the Airport was functional.

Airport employee strength

Bengaluru International Airport today employs close to 5000 people proving to be one of the fastest growing employers in the City. “It is known to all that Airports are significant employment generators leading to economic development of cities across the globe,” said Albert Brunner. Of this number, BIAL has a little over 600 employees while its concessionaires have recruited close to 4500 employees to their rolls. 52% of the people employed by the Airport are Kannadigas, demonstrating the significant contribution of BIAL in the area of employment generation.

Exciting retail avenues

Bengaluru International Airport has emerged as a retail haven, enhancing the Airport experience considerably. It has seen a huge acceptance in the area of perfumes and fragrances, toys and books.

Bengaluru International Airport, in this short span has been home to innovative advertising campaigns – hitherto unseen in any Indian airport. The gigantic Louis Vuitton suitcase that was propped outside the Terminal Building has caught many an eye. Mercedes Mclaren MP4 23 race car was on display the whole of June 08 as a part of promotional campaign at the Tax and Duty free outlet (operated by Nuance Group India) at the Bengaluru International Airport marking the beginning of an exciting F1 promotion, in June. The car was on display by Johnnie Walker as part of their promotional campaign and was seen at the airport for three weeks.

Currently, a brand new replica of the Airbus 340 is placed outside the Terminal Building as a means of reminding people of Kingfisher’s foray into international territories.

BIAL – a committed and conscious employer

Recently, commemorating Independence Day, the airport wore a patriotic look as it geared up to get the employees and passengers to pledge independence from litter and a promise to keep the environment clean and green. Over 8000 pledges were received during the period of five, leading to the same number of saplings being planted in the Airport premises via the ‘The Green Pledge’ campaign. Symbolic of 61 years of Indian Independence, 610 trees were planted in the city at two locations i.e. The Prakruthi Township in babusapalya and at the Anugraha Ashram (School for Street Children) in Jaladamarada doddi.

Not to be left behind in the Olympic fever, Bengaluru International Airport witnessed four Olympic athletes departing from the airport drawing much fanfare and ado.

In Bengaluru International Airport’s constant endeavor to ensure safety and security for passengers and employees at the airport- both on the landside and on the airside, the month of August 2008 was observed as the ‘Driving Discipline Month’ with a view to improving driving discipline and driving standards on the Apron of the airport.

Focus of these sessions were on driving-skill certification, certification & license endorsement, speed control & control of towed objects, lane discipline, parking on the Apron and talking on mobile phones and radios while driving. Adherences to these rules were encouraged by giving complying drivers attractive incentives.

Amidst all these responsible activities, Bengaluru International Airport also found time to bring in the fun element at workplace. ‘Fun Olympics 2008’ was held in August with over 100 teams participating across airport staff coming from Concessionaires, Stakeholders, Airlines, CISF, Ground handlers and other vendors. Over 3000 employees were present to cheer the participants.