Travel Book Logs

The new airport at Hyderabad was completed in March 2008 several months ahead of schedule catching almost everyone by surprise.  Hats off to the GMR consortium for delivering on time and in style.  To get an idea of the “surprise”, the roads and hotel infrastructure around the airport are still catching up with the airport.  The flyover at Medhipatnam built for the sole purpose of diverting airport traffic is only going to be completed in September 2008.

The Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) at Shamshabad as it is officially called ran into speed bumps even as the curtains were to be raised.  Many locals were extremely vocal about the choice of Rajeev gandhi’s name for the airport.  Fair complaint in my opinion.  However try explaining that to a Congress government.  Sonia Gandhi inaugurated the airport on March 14th, 2008 almost three years to the day of laying the foundation stone.  First flight arrival was the Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt which also became the first departure flight when it turned around a couple of hours later.  More information on the airport can be found at the Hyderabad International Airport website.

What gets you at first is the sheer size of the project.  Very few of us get a glimpse of a greenfield project like this in a lifetime.  The entire landscape has been changed by the airport complex.  The drive from the Bangalore (Bengaluru??) highway to the main terminal is about 5 km.   The approach from the old Srisailam highway for those who take the Uppal route via Barkhas is also about 5.5 km.   GMR is sure to reap the benefits from the massive infrastructure potential around the complex but from what is being heard is that prices are literally sky high.

Transport to the airport is pretty good by road with the Aeroexpress – the new Shuttle Bus System from select points in the twin cities.  Rates are Rs 120 and Rs 150 depending on where you depart from.  Shuttle buses leave from Secunderabad (Keyes High Schoo), Begumpet (Paryatak Bhavan), Medhipatnam(Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital), Charminar (City College)  and HITEC City (Shilparamam).  The Taxi Service contract at the airport is by Meeru Cabs and Radio Taxi who charge Rs 15 per km.  Average fare to and from the airport is approx Rs 650.  Depending on traffic conditions the charge may vary.   The shortest route is via Shamshabad and Medhipatnam but this is also the most traffic prone.  The longest route is via Barkhas and Uppal which is approximately 40 km but traffic tends to move well even on busy days.  Commute time is approximately an hour in the mornings and tends to be a half hour longer during the daytime and evenings.

Travel experience in the terminal though is sheer pleasure.   Check in counters are right by the entrance.  Check in has never taken me more than 10 – 15 mins.  No baggage scanning headaches are some of the nice features of the airport.  After security check the passenger waiting area is a sprawling hallway that contains food courts, shops and passenger ammenities comparable to the best anywhere.

Approach to aircraft is by aero bridge which is on the first floor.  Approach to the different floors are by escalator or elevator.   Toilets are plenty and conveniently located.  Waiting area seating is spacious and surrounded by glass structure which offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding apron and airport complex.  LCD TV displays are located at all gate areas and the sound system is excellent.  All in all the service and quality of the airport is excellent.

One of the best features of the airport is the baggage claim of the arrival area.   There are complaints of long waits on international arrivals but I am willing to give the new airport some time to sort out teething issues.  For the most part the baggage services are excellent and the huge baggage belts are a sight for sore eyes.  Soft bags are delivered in convenient trays and the size of the belts easily accommodates the largest of suitcases.  Again LCD TV screens indicate the belt numbers assigned for each arriving flight.  Space around the belts is adequate and plenty of baggage trolleys are in place.  Leaving the airport is smooth and efficient without the rough and tumble of the old airport.   Taxi services are available to the right of the exit area and the city shuttle buses are available on the left.

Describing an airport in detail is beyond the scope of a blog like this but I have to say many of the facilities in the airport are excellent.   I had the chance to fly out of Hyderabad to Amsterdam and Minneapolis last month and the difference in the airports was striking.  Schiphol is still one of the best airports in the world and its best not to compare the two due to the vast difference in the volume of flight travel.  However the Hyderabad International Airport is from the passenger perspective just as good.

High costs and fees levied by the airport have caused many of the service operators to jack up prices.  Airlines have reduced the frequency of flights to Hyderabad on some of these grounds but fuel prices are also to blame.  The airport location has taken some of the local Hyderabadis some time to get used to given our nawaabi time schedules.  The size of the airport is another aspect that takes getting used to but wheel chair services are among some of the facilities available for physically challenged and senior citizens.

Many of these complaints are fair and can be addressed with proper management.  For those who travel through Hyderabad, the new airport is a highlight to the city landscape along with the other sights that the city has to offer.