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Old 27th May 2008, 16:52   #91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by finneyp View Post
Yes, very much possible!

If you noticed, this incident happenend on the Inaugration day (May 23) night, and it is reported today (May 28) on IBNLive.

BTW, it is a NEW airport, staff & crew are yet to familiarize themselves with the new systems & surroundings.
My point too and also I've had some experience in new airport. There are so many unplanned issues that could crop up. With our Desi crowd, its more so. Given some time all these stupid issues wont come up.



In 1998while traveling to Tokyo had to fly thru Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport, but on my return journey was via Hong Kong's new airport Chek Lap Kok.

It was just 4 days old, massive baggage problems were reported from day one. Since I dint have a choice I boarded the flight with more than normal hand baggage. (I was taking a break in Singapore dint want to take a chance with lost baggage)

Fantastic views before landing. Transit area was a total chaos. I had two hours to kill before my onward flight to Singapore.
No duty free shops were open.
The food court was more like a fish market. Not enough tables/ chairs, bins overflowing etc.
Toilets reminded me of HAL airport.

Worst of all, I was made to wait at the wrong boarding gate. No one bothered to inform on PA or display at the gate about the change in gate. 5 mins before the departure I contacted a Cathay Pacific official who was .

He called the correct gate & asked them not to close the gate for a few of us. We just boarded the flight & even before I took the seat, the plane left the terminal.

I was in HK's Airport again in 2002 & I couldn't believe that It was the same airport. Everything was working normally as any other International airport.

Last edited by eclectix 1st : 27th May 2008 at 16:55.
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Old 27th May 2008, 16:56   #92
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My friend tells me, Hong Kong took almost an year to sort things out.
Quote:
Originally Posted by eclectix 1st View Post


In 1998while traveling to Tokyo had to fly thru Hong Kong's Kai Tak Airport, but on my return journey was via Hong Kong's new airport Chek Lap Kok.

It was just 4 days old, massive baggage problems were reported from day one. Since I dint have a choice I boarded the flight with more than normal hand baggage. (I was taking a break in Singapore dint want to take a chance with lost baggage)

Fantastic views before landing. Transit area was a total chaos. I had two hours to kill before my onward flight to Singapore.
No duty free shops were open.
The food court was more like a fish market. Not enough tables/ chairs, bins overflowing etc.
Toilets reminded me of HAL airport.

Worst of all, I was made to wait at the wrong boarding gate. No one bothered to inform on PA or display at the gate about the change in gate. 5 mins before the departure I contacted a Cathay Pacific official who was .

He called the correct gate & asked them not to close the gate for a few of us. We just boarded the flight & even before I took the seat, the plane left the terminal.

I was in HK's Airport again in 2002 & I couldn't believe that It was the same airport. Everything was working normally as any other International airport.
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Old 27th May 2008, 17:21   #93
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HAL should be history now, the airport was pathetic. However bad BIAL maybe right now, it can only get better..
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Old 28th May 2008, 07:54   #94
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Went by BIAL to drop off my dad last night.

We stay near Sultan Palya(beyond RT.Nagar towards Ambedkar Med College)

Left around 8 PM, was there by 9ish I guess. Was at the airport for about 45 mins and then home by 1030 after dropping a friend back home on the way.

All in all a smooth drive. No issues as such... just the occasional tankers/minivans with no lights absolutely.

After the exit (left) from the main highway into the Airport, the drive for few KM's makes you wonder if you are still in Bangalore?! The road signs will confirm it. Only wish they had made the flyovers a little broader.

They are having teething troubles, for eg: cargo is being sent to chennai by road to be airlifted as the systems here are having problems... but all in all its a sign of good things to come for the city. I think they deserve a round of applause.
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Old 28th May 2008, 09:43   #95
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Had been to the BIAL yesterday night, I liked it, the lightning they have done and the quality of roads are too good.

Took 1hr 30min from BSK at 8:00 PM start(44 km).

Took 1 hr from BIAL to back at 12 midnight.

The hickups :

- In the parking lot the arrows tell you to follow the opposite of what the attendent are guiding. While exiting I asked one of them to remove the barrier since I was following the arrows on the path to exit, blocked by them.

- Parkings are well marked but no Info on long term and short term areas, unless you have read the brochure here. P2/3 are short term.

- The arrival terminal has very few seats for visitors.

- Be prepared to wait for luggage upto 1-2 hrs onto the belts. My wife's luggage came on another belt after 1hr 20 min of landing than the displayed belt, which she luckily saw and asked the staff to quickly fetch. She was waiting at the displayed belt.

Heated arguments with the airline staff on the luggage delays all over.

- People not following the signs, as usual, taking the shortest way possible over the landscaping. Not following the pedestrian path marks.

- People trying to barge inside the belt area assuming that the entry ticket allows them to do so, then giving excuses to the security like "where the toilet".

- People not reading the signs on TAXI pickup and wondering where to get the prepaid.

- Road signs to the HAL airport still exist, could be confusing for someone new to the city.


The positives:

- I saw the Volvo's running at midnight, whereas I thought service was only till late evening, which is good.

- No Auto's, dont even try, they will make you alight at the trumpet flyover and its a long walk ahead.

- Roads/ lightning is good

- Airport is big and matches international standards

- You can have beer/ liquor at the arrival lounge

- Ample parking space


IMO, most of the hickups will go away after some familarization, although they should have had a dry run for few weeks with the complete (BIAL/ Airlines) staff before the opening.

Last edited by dadu : 28th May 2008 at 09:47.
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Old 28th May 2008, 10:12   #96
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Anybody used the Rs 300 Innova to the airport? i guess it is per person. i wonder if there will be waiting time owing to car pooling.
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Old 28th May 2008, 10:26   #97
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Taxis to BIAL

Hi

Though there are a bunch of operators who provide taxi services to BIAL, please ensure that you book them much in advance.

This Monday, I tried Airlift, EasyCabs, Meru, Cellcabs, SpotTaxi and a few more to book a drop to airport on Tuesday morning from Brookefields.
All were booked out totally (probably coz it was peak hour for flights, 0700hrs to 0900 hrs).
I had to take a small time taxi wala, which is unreliable (have been left standing quite a few times earlier, with "Sorry Saar, no taxis").

Another point, useful for making short trips (< 1 week).
Car parking rates are 300/day for day 1 and 200/day thereafter.
So, a Monday morn to Friday night parking: 1100/-.
Add petrol expenses: (Rs.52/ltr)*(2*50km)/(12kmpl)=440/-
Total = 1540/-
Almost equal/less to taking a non-AC indica/omni (750-850/- one way).

My alto gives 12kmpl, if you get more, above calculation will look better

Regards
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Old 28th May 2008, 10:30   #98
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Hi GUys, i need to travel to bangy on work on Mondya. My office is in Sadashiv nagar. what time should I leave the office for the new airport? my flight back to Hyd is at 8 PM
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Old 28th May 2008, 11:03   #99
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The Hindu Business Line : Blues galore at Bengaluru International Airport FWIW.
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Old 28th May 2008, 11:45   #100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by himanshugoswami View Post
Hi GUys, i need to travel to bangy on work on Mondya. My office is in Sadashiv nagar. what time should I leave the office for the new airport? my flight back to Hyd is at 8 PM
From Sadashiv nagar, it should taken an hour to the new airport. I would recommend that you play safe and leave at 5:00 pm from office.
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Old 30th May 2008, 11:33   #101
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Came back to Bangalore day before and got the first taste of the 'New' Bengaluru Airport.

1. The plane waited for a good 15 minutes on ground, after landing, for getting the parking bay alloted.

2. The bus which took us (the flight was an international one) dropped us in front of a door which took us straight out! No immigration, no security, nothing! This was supposed to be for national travelers!

3. We (around 20~30 people) tried to talk to the security and tried to get into the correct side (from the outside), we were stopped by the security (good!).

4. An airline employee finally turned up and took us back all the way back to the point were we were dropped by the bus and then asked us to take a flight of stairs which should take us to the immigration.

5. The flight of stairs lead to a passage that was locked out!!!

6. The employee then escorted us thru a couple of stairs more and a good 5 minute walk later we are there at the immigration! Phew!!! :-)

Guess they are still trying to get their acts in order.
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Old 30th May 2008, 11:42   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyWheels View Post
Came back to Bangalore day before and got the first taste of the 'New' Bengaluru Airport.

1. The plane waited for a good 15 minutes on ground, after landing, for getting the parking bay alloted.

2. The bus which took us (the flight was an international one) dropped us in front of a door which took us straight out! No immigration, no security, nothing! This was supposed to be for national travelers!

3. We (around 20~30 people) tried to talk to the security and tried to get into the correct side (from the outside), we were stopped by the security (good!).

4. An airline employee finally turned up and took us back all the way back to the point were we were dropped by the bus and then asked us to take a flight of stairs which should take us to the immigration.

5. The flight of stairs lead to a passage that was locked out!!!

6. The employee then escorted us thru a couple of stairs more and a good 5 minute walk later we are there at the immigration! Phew!!! :-)

Guess they are still trying to get their acts in order.
Imagine if any anti-social elements / terrorists / smugglers were on that flight . It would've been a dream come true for them.
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Old 30th May 2008, 11:44   #103
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I received this as an e-mail forward. Hows the service?

Airlift - Airport Transfer Services
Unique features of the Airlift Vehicle
· Airlift will be 6 seat air conditioned Toyota Innova. Individual Bucket seats for all 5 passengers.
· Airlift will have a LCD screen on each passenger seat for personalized entertainment system, these screens will show 5 channels with different contents.
· Airlift has ample overhead covered and secured luggage space.
· Airlift will be Wi-Fi enabled for passengers to browse the internet on the screens and as well as with their laptops.
· Airlift will be driven by our Auto Pilots who will be in uniform and well trained to communicate and present themselves to the customers.
· Airlift will also be tracked by GPS system to ensure efficient on time services and tracking every vehicle to make sure of complete security of passengers.
Airlift is being designed to provide complete comfort and help the passenger to use their commuting time productively.
Pricing: We feel that the Normal City Cab from or to the Airport will cost about 750/- to 1000/- one way.
Our service has been priced at *Rs. 300/-*one way and moreover Return journey for to and from the airport will be *Rs. 450/- *per person. That is nearly 70% saving on the Airport Transfers
vis-à-vis a regular City Cab.
How to avail the service:
Book Tickets online on our website www.airliftonline.com through Credit or Debit Card.
Pickup the Prepaid Coupons in any of the Retail Stores and call 9845047788 to make a booking or use the same on www.airliftonline.com
Support:
SMS AIRLIFT to 54545. Support team will get in touch with you ASAP. Call 24/7 call center number *98450 47788 .* * *
Logon to the website www.airliftonline.com for any queries
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Old 30th May 2008, 12:00   #104
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Eclectix,
So true! It is a militant / smugglers heaven!

PatienceWins,
Got the same mail, as a forward yesterday. I did notice one of these innova's on the way back home. Haven't met anyone who has used this service, so far.

And I paid Rs.680 (@ 12Rs per Km + Rs.40 for parking charges) in City Taxi. The Meeru service is @ 15Rs per KM.

But this one seems to be better & cheaper. But the gross is that they have 'airlift' locations! We do not get door service!

PS: When I first started reading the mail (about this) I thought they are offer 'Air' (aka helicopter) lift!
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Old 30th May 2008, 12:13   #105
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A world class airport finally

Went to pickup relatives yesterday night, and was pretty impressed by the airport. At first glance, it looks much bigger than the Hyderabad Airport.

The difference being that in Hyderabad, all the support areas ( cargo, fuel dump, atc buildings etc,. ) are all away from the main approach areas, and checkin counters are stacked along the corridor rather than to the wall as in BIAL ( European vs Asian design philosophy ? )

The terminal building at Hyderabad is two storeyed with the departures on the 1st floor. Not sure about arrivals are they on the same level ?


From Hennur it took me 40min to get to BIAL via the Bagalur road, which joins the Bellary road at Yellahanka. So if anyone is coming via the ring road from KR Puram, take a right after Pizza Hut, at the Hennur Junction, and after about 9kms, take a left. another 6kms will bring you to the yellahanka junction *after* VidyaShilp.

Some pics of the arrivals:

Bengaluru International Airport-29052008005-small.jpg

Bengaluru International Airport-29052008006-small.jpg

Free Wifi works in some spots. Getting hooked onto the WLAN takes some time. You are given a login for 1 hr.

They need to quickly spruce up the areas in front:

- Cabs from AkbarTravels and other 'premium' operators are parked haphazardly in a separate parking lot near the terminal, giving a very bad first impression.

- Better markings for parking areas. I had to drive all around P1 before finding the exit gate.

It would be a better option to run the regular B7R Garuda Volvos than the current low floor ones, where half the bus is used for luggage.
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