Exploring Kolkata Airport: Navigating Its Many Gates

Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU Airport) is a prominent gateway to India, embodying the region's cultural and historical significance. The airport is known for its blend of facilities and colonial-era architecture. With around 85% domestic travellers, it is India's fifth busiest airport, handling 22.5 million passengers in 2019. The airport has one integrated terminal, known as Terminal 2, which serves both domestic and international operations. This terminal has 18 aero-bridges and is designed to provide a smooth and comfortable travel experience. While the specific number of gates is not mentioned, there are multiple gates for departures and arrivals, with clear signage to guide passengers.

Terminal 2 is the only terminal at Kolkata Airport

The new terminal, which opened in January 2013, has improved the airport's functionality and passenger experience. It features 104 check-in counters, 44 immigration counters, 16 baggage carousels, and 18 aero-bridges. The terminal also offers a variety of dining and retail options, as well as essential amenities such as free Wi-Fi and charging stations.

Passengers can disembark from any point and proceed to either the international or domestic sections of the integrated terminal. The gates for domestic departures are located towards the start of the terminal, while the latter gates are for international departures.

Kolkata Airport, officially known as Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, is the primary aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. It is one of the oldest airports in the country, having opened in 1924, and is currently the fifth busiest airport in India.

Terminal 1 is no longer used for civil aviation

Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport is one of the busiest airports in India, handling around 310 flights a day. The airport has three terminal buildings, including a domestic terminal, an international terminal, and a cargo terminal. However, Terminal 1 is no longer used for civil aviation.

Terminal 1 was the old passenger terminal at Kolkata Airport. It was replaced by Terminal 2, a new integrated domestic and international terminal, in January 2013. The new terminal was built to address the overcrowding in both the old domestic and international terminals and to modernise the airport's facilities.

The old domestic terminal, Terminal 1, is now solely used for VIPs, cargo, and Hajj flights. It is planned to be demolished as part of the airport's expansion project to construct a new terminal, also named Terminal 1, to increase the airport's overall capacity.

Terminal 2, the new integrated terminal, has become the sole terminal for all passenger travel at Kolkata Airport. It showcases engineering and architectural design, offering travellers a modern, comfortable, and efficient journey experience. The terminal has multiple zones, from check-in areas to boarding gates, with clear signage in multiple languages to guide travellers.

The new terminal has improved efficiency with simplified check-in and departure processes. It offers a wide range of facilities, including restaurants with international and local cuisine, retail stores, comfortable seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and charging stations. Passengers can also benefit from several services, such as online check-in and flight status updates through mobile applications.

With the construction of Terminal 2 and the subsequent shift of all passenger operations to the new terminal, Kolkata Airport has won multiple awards for its improvement and modernisation. The airport was recognised as the Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific Region in 2014 and 2015 by the Airport Council International.

The airport is named after a prominent independence leader

The Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata is named after a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement. The airport was renamed in 1995 to honour Subhas Chandra Bose, a key figure in India's fight for freedom from colonial rule.

The airport is one of the oldest in India, founded in the early 1900s as the Calcutta Aerodrome. It is located in Dum Dum, about 10 miles northeast of the city, and is the primary aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. Kolkata Airport is the fifth busiest airport in the country, handling 22.5 million passengers in 2019.

The airport has undergone significant development in recent years, with the construction of a new integrated terminal, Terminal 2, which opened in January 2013. This new terminal replaced the old domestic and international buildings, providing a modern and efficient travel experience for passengers. The terminal features clear multilingual signage, a wide range of dining and retail options, and comfortable seating areas.

Terminal 2 has significantly improved the airport's capacity and functionality. It boasts 104 check-in counters, 44 immigration counters, 16 baggage carousels, and 18 aero-bridges. The terminal also offers free Wi-Fi and charging stations for travellers.

The airport's previous terminals closed permanently with the opening of the new integrated terminal. However, there are plans to renovate the old international terminal for future Hajj services, while the old domestic terminal may be utilised by regional airlines.

The Kolkata Airport, now formally known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, stands as a testament to the city's rich history and advancement into the modern era, honouring the legacy of a prominent independence leader, Subhas Chandra Bose.

It is India's fifth or sixth busiest airport

Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU Airport) is India's fifth or sixth busiest airport. It is the primary aviation hub for eastern and northeastern India. The airport is located in Dum Dum, about 10 miles northeast of the city. It takes between 45 and 90 minutes to drive to the city centre.

CCU Airport is one of the oldest airports in India, having opened in 1924. It is known for its blend of facilities and colonial-era architecture. The airport has two parallel runways and three terminal buildings, with Terminal 2 serving as the main terminal for both domestic and international flights. The airport covers 6.64 square kilometres and handled 20 million passengers in 2023-24, making it the sixth busiest airport in India. However, other sources claim it to be the fifth busiest airport in the country.

The airport has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly with the introduction of low-cost carriers in 2005, which led to a dramatic rise in passenger numbers. To accommodate this growth, the airport underwent a comprehensive modernisation plan, including the construction of a new integrated terminal (Terminal 2) that opened in January 2013. The new terminal offers modern amenities and efficient navigation for travellers.

CCU Airport is a major centre for flights to Northeast India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Southeast Asia, and the Middle Eastern cities of Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. It is easily accessible via air-conditioned buses and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Ola. The airport has a range of facilities, including restaurants, retail stores, comfortable seating areas, free Wi-Fi, and charging stations.

With its blend of historical significance, architectural design, and efficient operations, CCU Airport plays a crucial role in India's aviation sector and serves as a gateway to the country for travellers from around the world.

The airport has been awarded for its improvements

Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU Airport) has been recognised for its improvements over the years. The airport, which is located in Dum Dum, about 10 miles northeast of the city, is the fifth busiest airport in India. It has experienced significant growth in both air and passenger traffic, becoming one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.

The airport's improvements were recognised when it received the award for 'Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific Region' in 2014 by the Airport Council International. This award acknowledged the substantial efforts made by the airport's teams to enhance the passenger experience and gather feedback through the ACI's Airport Service Quality programme. The new integrated Terminal 2, which opened in 2013, replaced the old separate domestic and international buildings, improving convenience for travellers.

In addition to the international recognition, the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport also received the National Tourism Award 2018-19 from India's Ministry of Tourism. It was recognised as the 'Best Airport in Class X (metro) Cities', beating other major airports in the country, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Bengaluru.

The airport's modern infrastructure, efficient processes, and range of facilities and amenities have contributed to its accolades. The terminal has clear multilingual signage, efficient check-in and security processes, and a wide range of dining and retail options. The airport also offers free wheelchairs, a childcare room, a medical inspection room, Wi-Fi, and ATM services. These improvements and enhancements to the passenger experience have established CCU Airport as a key player in India's aviation sector.

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