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History is made: Air India IC 957 about to take off on the inaugural flight from Bengaluru International Airport |
INDIA. In an historic moment for Indian aviation, the new greenfield Bengaluru International Airport opened on Saturday.
The first flight – Air India IC 957 to Singapore – took off at 00.05 hours, according to Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).
At the Departures lounge the mood was celebratory as Air India ensured that the passengers aboard the historic flight were made to feel special. “Our national carrier, Air India, has had the privilege of operating the inaugural flight out of the new Bengaluru International Airport today throwing the airport open for operations,” said Air India Southern Region India Executive Director E.A. Varghese.
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(Left to right clockwise): The domestic Departure concourse; the Cafe Coffee Day Bistro; the Illy Cafe; Check-in counters | |
Passengers boarding the flight were greeted by BIAL CEO Albert Brunner along with other company management. “This is an overwhelming experience for all of us today. The moment we have all been working so long for is finally here,” Brunner said.
He added: “Bengaluru International Airport is today on the global aviation map. We are glad that operations and procedures were executed as per expectations. As I have said before, our work is not over, it has just begun. A new chapter now begins. We will strive to set a benchmark for other airports in the country.”
BIAL announced that that all the check-in and departure processes met expectations. The average time taken by a passenger from the terminal building entrance to the aircraft was 15-20 minutes. This included check-in, security check and entering the departure area. It added: “Passengers welcomed the single check-in process which eliminated the long queues to screen check-in luggage. Many were seen using the self check-in kiosks with the help of airline staff. Passengers were pleasantly surprised to see the all-new commercial area as they
crossed the security check.”
Later BIAL said in a statement: “The first 18 hours of Day One operations at Bengaluru International Airport have been satisfactory in comparison to other such transitions around the world. By the end of the day the new airport will have handled 341 air traffic movements including 172 arrivals and 159 departures.
“Concerns on the much debated distance to the airport were cast away by many passengers, who gave positive testimonials following their arrival at the airport.
“Besides initial teething problems, the take off was smooth. We will iron these out within a week of operations,” reported BIAL.
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