Thursday, 19 December 2024
Thursday, 19 December 2024
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata will be celebrating its centenary from December 21. The logo for the three-month programme was launched on Friday.
The airport's journey began in the early 1900s as the Calcutta Aerodrome. By 1924, it was a major international hub, with KLM Airlines making scheduled stops on their route from Amsterdam to Batavia (now Jakarta).
The year 1924 also saw several historic firsts, including the landing of Royal Air Force aircraft and the arrival of a French pilot, Mr. Doycee, on May 2. The same year, Dum Dum Airport hosted multiple significant landings, including the first night landing, when a flight from Amsterdam landed on November 14 assisted by kerosene-powered gooseneck lights fixed along the edges of the runway.
Sir Stanley Jackson, the then governor of Bengal, inaugurated the Bengal Flying Club at the Dum Dum Aerodrome in 1929, further solidifying the airport's status.
Originally located next to the Royal Artillery Armoury in Dum Dum, the airport saw significant growth during British rule when it became a strategic stopover for flights connecting North America, Europe and Asia.
In the post-World War II era, Kolkata became a key destination for commercial flights. During the 1940s to 1960s, the airport became a prominent stopover hub for international airlines such as Aeroflot, Air France, and Pan Am. However, with the advent of longer-haul aircraft in the 1960s, the airport's role as a stopover hub began to decline.
The airport was renamed after the freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose in 1995 and its new terminal building was inaugurated in 2013.
In the run-up to the centenary celebrations, The Telegraph Online speaks to a cross-section of frequent flyers to list the improvements they want in the airport.
Ashmita Banerjee, private sector employee: The washrooms are pathetic
“The poor organisation and long queues are a problem, and so are the washrooms. As it is maintained by the government, the washrooms are pathetic as compared to other airports in the country. Moreover, there are sections at the security check-in zone which are deliberately kept closed, leading to a further delay and inconvenience for frequent flyers at the Kolkata airport.”
Anupam Roy, musician: Reduce wait time for luggage
“I love going to the Kolkata airport. The staff is helpful too. But, I have one problem that I face —- when we travel back to Kolkata from various parts of India and the world, we have luggage with us which includes musical equipment in various cases. The waiting time at the conveyor belt is approximately more than an hour. We don’t face this issue in any other airport.”
Rohen Bose, tabla player: Need more direct flights
“Kolkata airport has faced persistent challenges with delays in luggage handling and a limited flight network. Passengers, like musicians, frequently report long waiting times at baggage claim, attributed to inefficiencies in ground handling operations and outdated systems.
“Additionally, the scarcity of direct flights to key international and domestic destinations has restricted connectivity, forcing travelers to rely on layovers in other cities.”
Abhisek Roy, fashion designer: Other airports look so beautiful
“I love the airport. However, it needs a lot of upgrades compared to other metro city airports like Bengaluru, Mumbai or Delhi. The airports there look so beautiful. Kolkata airport is somehow stuck somewhere.
“For instance, I always prefer self check-ins. There are no self-check-in baggage counters in the airport. There’s no Digi Yatra till the gates too. Some technical advancements and a renovation is needed.”
Pranaadhika Sinha Devburman, activist: Better accessibility
“As much as I love and have loved Kolkata airport, I wish it was more accessible for people with disabilities, specifically when it comes to wheelchair users who are dependent on sensitive, trained attendants who will assist them with tasks such as timely visits to the toilet facilities as well as flights.
“I see both attendants and passengers struggling because not enough attendants are at hand to deal with the long distances between boarding gates. Please fix this !
“I love the food, the security staff, the ceiling, the Biswa Bangla shop with its nolen gur tubes handy for last minute gifting. And, I love the bar at the airport.”
Shubhodeep Datta, NGO employee: Wow factor missing
“Kolkata airport is functional and efficient on most days. The amenities and processes have seen a significant upgrade with the construction of a new Terminal 2 building, and are almost on a par with other airports in metros. However, the airport lacks a significant character or flavours of Bengal. It’s still a bit of glass and steel. The airport looks fantastic but the interiors or architecture doesn’t wow you like the Bangalore or Mumbai airport does.”
Poulami Pramanick, mountaineer/entrepreneur: Public transport needed
Travelling not only for work trips but also for mountaineering has been my regular practice for the past three years. Kolkata airport being the base location has been the gateway to the places. Unfortunately, the traffic management system and the long queue at the cab stands have remained the same. There’s a lack of enough public transport from the airport, the only easy way to get back home is to take the cab or wait for the longest bus route. However, the assigned cab drivers create a huge fuss while confirming trips. Kolkata being one of the busiest airports in the eastern zone never seems to improve the communication bridge.
Suman Datta, researcher: Affordable, frequent, and direct connections needed
“Netaji Subhash Airport has transformed over the decades, just as the City of Joy evolved from Calcutta to Kolkata. Travelers struggle to catch early flights from distant cities without paying hefty fees for premium cab services. Affordable, frequent, and direct connections to nearby towns like Barasat, which is less than 20 km away, are sorely lacking.
“The airport's modern aesthetic appeals to Gen-Z. However, millennials face numerous issues, such as long security queues that become formidable during rush hours. And, of course, the food is notoriously overpriced.”
Subhadeep Dey, central govt employee: Transport the biggest problem
“The biggest problem I've faced at Kolkata Airport is transportation. Getting a cab at night is a huge challenge. Either the cabs refuse to come or there are instances of scamming. Moreover, there are a few bus routes connecting the airport to various parts of the city, but the frequency is a major issue. Buses don't run at night, and during the day, they're crowded with daily commuters, making it difficult to board with luggage. The purpose of the airport connecting buses is defeated, according to me.
“Fortunately, the airport Metro station is nearing completion. Hopefully, this will make commuting much easier. However, if the Metro frequency remains as poor as it currently is, and no originating trains from the airport are scheduled, traveling with luggage will become even more difficult.”
Koushik Pal, entrepreneur: Better behaviour of ground staff
“The airport authorities should focus on the hospitality aspect, especially focusing on how the ground staff is responding and behaving with the fliers
Once, my flight was delayed for four hours, which resulted in a long queue to board the plane. The co-passengers were anxious due to the delay and mentioned the same to the personnel at the gate. The behaviour of the personnel changed drastically, eventually leading to a situation where one of them used foul language. I reached out to a senior staff member of the airport to lodge a complaint who responded and removed the said staff from the gate.”
