BIAL Trip - reports, photos and impressions

Thanks Shane et al from BIAL for the nice arrangements. We gathered at Minsk Square by 9, left for BIA at 9:35 am, reached in about 50 minutes. We were shown around till about 12:30, and were dropped back at Minsk by 1:30 pm. Unfortunately, they couldn't arrange a Vajra/Volvo for us. But all in all, the visit itself, and putting faces to many online identities was good fun! Praja visitors will be using this post to record their photos and impressions.

[Note for visitors: Please use tag "prajabial" or "bialpraja" when uploading today's photos on flickr. If you are having difficulty using flickr macro in comments to this blog post, contact photoyogi or myself, or just leave URLs of flickr photo in the comment, we will insert those pics inline later]

Questions for BIAL (The first List)

I have compiled the list of questions. As predicted there are LOTS! Practically I dont think BIAL will have the time to answer each and every one of them! After a point they would care too much about doing so. I suggest we condensing it by trying to answer them ourselves. If it is still not a convincing answer then we can go ahead with it. Last chance I guess to add more questions...(if there is time) Apart from that I request all memebers to take photographs extensively! ------------------------------------------------- QUESTIONS! 1. Airport Size and Capacity A) For 27 million capacity, Delhi International Airport Limited is building a terminal of approx. 400,000 sq meters. Why is BIAL constraining 11 million passengers to just 70,000 sq mts? B) BIAL seems to have under-planned for almost every facility. While the 12 million capacity, HIAL terminal has 12 aerobridges, BIAL only has 8. Was cost a driving factor? C) The airport's capacity will be about 11 million pass/per annum at opening. This number will be insufficient within say, one or two years as news reports have suggested that there are almost 15 new carriers that are interested in operating out of BIAL, including several long haul flights to 'Frisco & other US destinations. Thus, it appears that steps to expand need to commence almost immediately after opening. What steps are being taken to minimize inconveniences to users ? & with the expansion, & increased no. of users, a rail link would become a necessity. Why is Monorail not being considered? 2. Expansion Plans A) What is in Store? What are the timelines for T2 & the second runway? B) If the IAF declines to part with the land for the second runway, would there be a second runway at all. If yes, how long would it take to build it? C) Would there be two level arrival /departure at new terminal, or would the terminal have almost the same design as the present one. 3. Parking & Landside Area (Those going can take a picture and mark a map with the plan - and where vehicles will go.) A) Is the exit road the one immediately south of the parking lot, or the one further south of this road (next to airport hotel?) B) At how many points are passengers allowed to cross the roads in front of the terminal? are there systems to enforce that at only these points pedestrian crossing is possible? C) Will traffic wardens be employed at the land side to manage the flow? are arrival and departure traffic staggered on the same road or they on the two parallel roads in from of the terminal? D) Are there any long term parking lots planned, so that one can drive the car to the airport in the morning, park the car and board the flight and return in the evening, pick up the car and drive home? E) In the absence of vertical separation of arrival and departure paths, how does BIAL hope to minimize chaos arising from criss-crossing of arrival and departure traffic? F) Can the departing passengers come out to the departure send-off points after check-in - Specially in international terminal? This is not allowed in the HAL airport and one sees no logic in this. In fact, crowding could be reduced if passengers can move out for a final cuppa with the relatives. Alternatively, will the non-passengers be allowed into the check-in departure areas if they have an entry ticket? This helps when elderly persons, first-timers, ladies with children or alone travel. Abroad, this is permitted in almost all airports. G) Does BIAL allow other taxi operators (city taxi etc who are not licensed to operate from BIAL) to enter the departure area? H) How does BIAL plan to prevent touts/middle men who charge (for customs clerance, luggage handling, forex etc) in the airport? I) BIAL had mentioned that they would errect a canopy over the car park - would like to know what stage this is, As its not seen in any picture. J) Also are you saying that people will be bussed directly between car/bus parking lots in front of the terminal to tarmac behind? K) The main question is land side traffic, as bangalorean asked. The terminal is two level internally, but the land side has one level access. How efficient is this? and also since the existing master plan says ultimately there will be a H shaped terminus, will it be possible to make the rest of the terminals have two level land side access? 4. Check-in-Area A) Since BIA promises rapid check-in (and check-out) due to its improved and stream-lined processes, can the reporting time be shortened with respect to flight departure? From what I understand, currently its 1 hour for domestic and 3 hours for international. If we can make it as 30 minutes and 1.5 hours respectively, then it would be great and also it can offset time taken to reach the airport. B) What are the Amenities for Children, Aged and disabled passengers? C) Food and snacks availability - 24/7 : Are their plans to provide options for affordable basic needs like food and snacks given that there are no options in the vicinity? There has been an outcry over outrageous pricing of the very basic food and beverages at the HIAL. D) Are there self baggage weighing machines where passengers can check the weight of their check-in baggage’s they and make changes to bring it within the allowable limits? This is particularly required for international departures and will ensure that errant passengers don't hold up check-in queues. 6. Airside Questions A) Do they have covered stairs - aircraft entry/exit where there are no aero-bridges - for monsoon? B) I was wondering why people are still being ferried to remote gates in buses. I have seen that many small airports have more than 8 aerobridge gates. HIAL also has a similar number. Why is it that? C) Isn’t this bussing more energy intensive solution, over the long run? Wouldn’t a bigger terminal to support more bridges be cheaper in the long run? D) BIAL seems to have under-planned for almost every facility. While the 12 million capacity, HIAL terminal has 12 aerobridges, BIAL only has 8. Was cost a driving factor? 5. Other Questions A) BIAL has mentioned that there ATF Surcharge is less than that of HIAL – will that in return nullify/make up with the UDF? B)When will the Air-India/SATS and Menzies/Bobba Group Cargo terminals be fully functional? C) While service is set to increase in BIAL overall, will there be better customs staff service – politer immigration agents and no rude policemen? ----------------END----------------------------------

Questions for BIAL - your turn!

[Update: Date for BIAL trip moved to Sunday, Apr 6th. Unfortunately, only 20 can go. We will give preference to long time members and those who write/comment a lot on BIAL here].

We had recently announced a 'BIA terminal to tarmac' tour for Praja members. In addition to that, the folks at BIAL have kindly agreed to answer any questions that we might have on the Airport. You can ask the bugging question about parking at the airport, handling of road side traffic, passenger and cargo handling etc. We will be taking questions as comments on this post and then will pass them on to BIAL. Then we would post the answers on Praja.

Please restrict your questions to technical and if relevant, financial aspects. We would moderate any question with political overtone, foul language or rant.

In the meanwhile, we are glad to confirm that we have now fixed 30th March as a tentative day for the 'Terminal to tarmac' trip. We will keep the members posted with the details as we become aware of them.