Feb 17, 2006 04:29 PM
4657 Views
(Updated Feb 17, 2006 04:29 PM)
CHENNAI Airport
Chennai Domestic Airport (Kamaraj Domestic Terminal)
Chennai kamaraj Domestic terminal has started operating some 10 years back (Earlier there was only one airport - Meenambakkam). I guess no major renovation work has been commissioned after that. That's perfectly understandable on seeing the pathetic status of the terminal building. Nothing over the head, all the false roof gave way for maintenance work and darkened Roof! Filled with cobwebs.
I have been to this airport many times in the past 2 years. After I moved to Hyderabad for my First job, every time I come home, I'm made to feel sorry about the status of the Airport.
As I said earlier the false roof in almost all places have given away and no changes in the past 1 year. As more airlines started flying from IA - JET to almost 10 airlines operating out of this airport, getting to a flight is getting worse day by day.
Basically there is no infrastructure to handle that many passengers and with more airlines on the pipeline and more IT companies opening shop in chennai you can expect worst times.
Connectivity
The Airport is well connected thru BUS and TRAIN (METRO) The Metro Train station is across the road and all Buses to Chennai from Almost all parts of Tamil nadu passes thru the Airport, One can get down from the BUS / Train and walk down to the airport. To come from the city, a call taxi would be a better choice, as Its some 7 Kms away from the City.
CHECK IN
The Check in counters of AirDeccan, & Sahara were in some corner and you need to literally search for it as almost 50 % of check in space is taken by IA - JET, so the other airlines like Kingfisher, and paramount were left with a single check in Counters, Its worse in case of GO Air / Spice as there is one makeshift counter (the last time I went during Jan 15th)
Information Board
The Arrival / Departure information board is not updated properly. One time the Air deccan to HYD is scheduled at 6.40AM and there was no info about that, When Enquired to Air Deccan staff, they were telling, We informed airport authorities, they were not showing. But the Jet flight at 11.00 AM was displayed at 6.00 AM itself.
Security Check
The Security Check is another nightmare, there were only 3 security gates and in Morning / evening times there will be queue to the other end of terminal (I'm not exaggerating, I personally experienced it many times) Since security check is right beside check in counters, both queues get tangled and you may find yourself in a jet / Kingfisher check in desk for a flight in IA. One time, I was in a queue for security check to JET, and some 10 mins before departure, found myself in a paramount check in counter; the JET Staff need to pull me thru the crowd to pass the security check with curses from fellow passengers.
The People in the security check managed by CISF were polite and helpful. But they are overworked and the people are more demanding. I would suggest any one flying in morning / evening time to proceed for the security check at least 1 hour before the departure.
Waiting Area
Waiting area, If you are passing through the security check, make sure you have some thing to nibble while waiting for the flight. as there is no snack bar inside security area. There is a small shop managed by TAJ in the check in area and another by Krishna Sweets. There is a book store by Higginbotham and a Karl store selling men’s merchandise, but all are in check in area and coming back after security check in may be a problem.
The Status of wash rooms is very pathetic, No paper in western Closets and no hand wash. The wash rooms in the HYD Multiplex were maintained 100 times better. Any one walking in to the airport would use the wash room above all the facilities and I wonder what they would be thinking about the airport.
Other Facilities
There is information flashed about Wi-Fi availability in the airport free of cost, though I haven't used it, Even if I want to use it, there is no info about whom to contact for access related issues.
There is a Phone booth and Money exchange facility available but not operating during late night.
The Trolleys are available easily.
Some Tips:
1.Arrive well in advance, at lest 2 Hrs before if flying during peak hours (6Am - 10 Am) and (3 PM to 8 PM).
2.Don’t rely on the information board, Check with the airline staff for schedule.
3.Complete Security check as early as possible, coz some group of Tourists may turn up at the last minute with large luggage.
4.Get something to eat and read before moving in to security check.
With many more airlines coming in and getting hot in IT front, Chennai need a better , bigger airport or atleast a complete revamp of the present one.
And the current status of Chennai Airport make me think, what's wrong in privatising Airports, if AAI and Its staff's cant to a job better, let others do. Have a look at Cochin International Airport. Then You'll understand the need for privatization of Airports.
