Jazmin Li
In 2013, Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport announced a Rs 1,942.51-crore modernisation project to expand its capacity to 24 million passengers per year and allow the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft, to land and take off from its runway. The airport planned to extend its 2,400-metre runway by 840 metres and build a wider taxiway to accommodate the wide-bodied aircraft. This upgrade positioned Kolkata Airport to become the third-largest airport in India, after Mumbai and Delhi, in terms of passenger capacity. The expansion was expected to be completed by the end of 2009, with Singapore Airlines confirming it would be flying A380 planes to India soon after.
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What You'll Learn
Expansion and modernisation plans
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, has undergone significant modernisation and expansion to accommodate increasing passenger numbers and larger aircraft like the Airbus A380.
Runway Expansion:
The airport expanded its runway 01L/19R, adding 400 metres (0.25 mi) on the northern side and 300 metres (1,000 feet) on the southern side. This expansion was completed by the end of 2009 to accommodate the A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft at the time.
Taxiways and Parking Bays:
Along with the runway expansion, a new taxiway with a minimum width of 23 metres was constructed for the A380, and taxi shoulders of around 30 metres were added to prevent damage to the aircraft's wings. Rapid-exit taxiways and additional parking bays were also part of the modernisation plan.
New Integrated Terminal T2:
The airport constructed a new integrated terminal, T2, which was inaugurated in January 2013. This new terminal covers 233,000 square metres and can handle 25 million passengers annually, a significant increase from the previous terminal's capacity of five million. T2 features 128 check-in counters, 78 immigration counters, 12 customs counters, and 18 aerobridges, enhancing the efficiency of passenger processing and boarding.
Demolition of Old Terminals:
With the construction of T2, the old international and domestic terminals were closed permanently. The AAI approved the demolition of the old domestic terminal, constructed in 1995, to create space for a new terminal. This expansion aims to increase the annual passenger handling capacity to 33 million.
New ATC Tower:
As part of Phase 2 of the Kolkata Airport expansion plan, a new ATC Tower is under construction to provide air traffic controllers with an improved view of the planes utilising the new terminal. The tower, expected to be completed by late 2023, will be accompanied by a four-storey office complex.
Transport Infrastructure:
To improve access to the airport, a 2-kilometre flyover and an entry ramp on VIP Road have been constructed. Two new Kolkata Metro lines are also under construction and will connect the city to the airport more efficiently. Parking facilities at the new terminal include two underground levels accommodating 3,000 cars and an outdoor parking area for an additional 2,000 cars.
These expansion and modernisation plans aim to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the Kolkata Airport, catering to the growing aviation demands in the region.
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AAI's Rs 1,942-crore revamp exercise
In 2008, Kolkata Airport announced a revamp to accommodate the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the West Bengal government planned to spend Rs 20 million and Rs 30 million, respectively, to expand the airport's capabilities. This included extending the 2,400-metre runway by 840 metres and constructing a taxiway with a minimum width of 23 metres to accommodate the wide-bodied aircraft. The taxi shoulders were also widened to 30 metres to prevent damage to the wings of the A380.
The Kolkata Airport expansion is part of India's efforts to prepare for the arrival of the Airbus A380. In 2006, it was reported that the government was readying four airports to handle the A380, with Delhi airport also undergoing modernisation. Heathrow Airport in London, San Francisco International Airport, and Singapore Changi Airport are among the major hubs that have made significant investments to accommodate the A380.
The A380 requires larger facilities due to its size and capacity as a superjumbo aircraft. The plane's manufacturer, Airbus, initially faced delays in delivering the aircraft due to electrical wiring harness issues, which disrupted airlines' plans for deploying the A380. However, by 2008, Kolkata Airport was preparing for its arrival, with the expansion project expected to be completed by the end of that year.
The Kolkata Airport expansion is a significant undertaking, with a total investment of Rs 50 million from the AAI and the West Bengal government combined. This investment ensures that the airport can safely and efficiently handle the A380, providing the necessary infrastructure for this large aircraft to operate without causing disruptions or damage.
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Taxiway and runway expansion
The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, has been undergoing modernisation and expansion to accommodate larger aircraft like the Airbus A380. This includes the expansion of runways and the construction of taxiways.
The airport has two parallel runways: the primary runway 01R/19L and the secondary runway 01L/19R. The primary runway has a capacity of approximately 35 flights per hour, while the secondary runway can handle 15 flights per hour.
In 2005, the airport experienced a significant increase in passenger traffic due to the emergence of low-cost carriers in India. This led to overcrowding and the subsequent decision to modernise and expand the airport. The expansion plan included extending the secondary runway, which was previously too short to accommodate heavier aircraft.
The secondary runway was extended by 400 metres on the northern side and 308.4 metres (1,000 feet) on the southern side. Additionally, a new taxiway was constructed to facilitate aircraft movement between the runways. This taxiway needed to be at least 30 metres wide to accommodate the wingspans of large aircraft like the A380.
However, the expansion of the secondary runway and the construction of the new taxiway faced a unique challenge due to the presence of a 119-year-old mosque located just 30 metres from the northern end of the runway. As the mosque could not be demolished, the expansion plans had to be adjusted, and a tunnel was built to allow people to access the mosque without interfering with the airport's operations.
The expansion of the taxiway and runway was completed in 2013, enhancing the airport's capacity and efficiency. The airport now handles a significant number of passengers annually, with over 10 million passengers served in the 2011-2012 financial year.
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Kolkata Airport Director VK Monga's statements
In 2008, Kolkata Airport Director VK Monga announced plans to expand the airport's runway and build a new taxiway to accommodate the Airbus A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft. The project, with a budget of Rs 1,942.51 crore, aimed to extend the 2,400-metre runway by 840 metres and construct a taxiway at least 23 metres wide to accommodate the A380's wide body. The expansion would also include wider taxi shoulders of around 30 metres to prevent damage to the aircraft's wings.
Monga addressed the funding for the project, stating that the Airports Authority of India and the West Bengal government would contribute Rs 20 million and Rs 30 million, respectively. He also noted that the modernisation project was planned based on expected growth in both domestic and international traffic. According to Monga, Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport aimed to enhance its capacity fivefold to handle 24 million passengers per annum, allowing it to accommodate the ultra-large A380 aircraft.
Despite some criticism regarding the timing of the expansion, with experts questioning the increasing capacity during a decline in air traffic, Monga defended the decision. He stated that the modernisation was planned assuming a 20% annual growth in domestic and 12% growth in international traffic. While acknowledging that international traffic growth fell short of projections, Monga pointed out that Kolkata airport's traffic had picked up in the last two months, indicating a positive trend.
The expansion plans also included the construction of 11 additional parking bays, a new control tower, a technical block, and a multi-layer car park for 1,400 cars. With these improvements, Kolkata Airport would be well-equipped to handle the A380, offering improved facilities and an enhanced experience for both airlines and passengers alike.
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The impact on other airports in India
In 2006, the Indian government announced that it was preparing four airports to handle the Airbus A380 superjumbo: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. At the time, only the runway at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport needed extending to accommodate the A380, while the other airports' runways were already capable of handling the aircraft.
The introduction of the A380 to these airports could have a significant impact on other aviation hubs in India. Analysts predicted that big international carriers would use the A380 as an opportunity to tap into the high-volume and price-sensitive Indian market. This could affect the national flag carrier, Air India, and set back Delhi airport's ambition of becoming an aviation hub. If international carriers like Singapore Airlines were to succeed in attracting Indian passengers with the A380, they could divert them to their own aviation hubs, such as Singapore and Dubai, rather than those within India.
In the short term, airport operators in India could expect to charge airlines more for A380 landings due to it being a heavier aircraft. However, in the long term, the introduction of the A380 could reduce the scope for India to develop its own hub airport.
The A380's operation in India was expected to have a positive impact on the country's civil aviation industry. The Indian government stated that it would help airports generate more revenue, provide more comfortable and luxurious travel to passengers, liberalize the civil aviation milieu, and boost the image of Indian civil aviation internationally.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, as of 2013, Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport has been upgraded to handle the A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft.
The airport's runway was extended by 840 metres, and a new taxiway with a minimum width of 23 metres was built to accommodate the aircraft's wide body.
The modernisation project cost Rs 1,942.51 crore, with the Airports Authority of India and the West Bengal government contributing Rs 20 million and Rs 30 million, respectively.
The upgrade also included the construction of 11 additional parking bays for aircraft, a new control tower, a technical block, and a multi-layer car park for 1,400 cars. The airport's capacity was also increased to 24 million passengers per annum, allowing it to handle up to 7,520 passengers per hour.
The decision to upgrade the airport was made to allow the operation of the A380, which would help the airport generate more revenue, provide more comfortable and luxurious travel to passengers, and boost the image of Indian civil aviation in the international market.
