Major Airports in India

Delhi- Indira Gandhi International Airport

Location: Palam, 14 miles south of the city. The domestic and international terminals are 3 miles apart and are connected by free transfer buses. These leave every 30 minutes to 1 hour and take around 15-20 minutes.
Travel Time to the City: 45 minutes to 1 hour.

The Indira Gandhi International Airport is said to be the second busiest airport in India. Being the capital of the country Delhi attracts various visitors and tourists across the world. It is believed that it will be the busiest Airport by 2010. Delhi Airport handles 20 million passengers every year. There is a huge renovation going on now at the Airport (domestic and international terminals). The privatisation of the airport took place in the year 2006 and the contract was given to a private operator. The renovation of the International Airport is complete with the upgraded and improved buggage screening facility, check in and immigration section. By 2010 it is said that the 3rd terminal of the airport would be completely ready to operate.

Mumbai- Chattrapathi Shivaji International Airport

Location: Andheri (international terminal) and Santa Cruz (domestic terminal), 19 miles and 15 miles north of the city respectively. Free inter-terminal transfer buses leave approximately every 30 minutes and take around 15-20 minutes for the trip.
Travel Time to the City: 1.5 to 2 hours.

After the privatisation of the Mumbai airport in early 2006, Mumbai airport has also gone under a major renovation and upgradation process. It was leased to a private operator in 2006. Mumbai is the main entry point to India and the airport handles 25 million passengers a year. A new domestic terminal has been opened and construction works are in progress in the international terminal. There's faster immigration and improved amenities. Delays from runway congestion are also a big problem.

Bengaluru- (Bangalore) International Airport

Location: Devanahalli, 25 miles from the city center.
Travel Time to the City: 1 to 2 hours.

The Bangalore airport is a new one in the list. It is said to be the 3rd busiest airport in India. The airport started its operation in May 2008. The facilities provided at the airport are remarkable. The airport has encountered many disappointments, out of which the size of the airport is the biggest. As compared to other airports in India, the Bangalore Airport is too small. The connectivity is the second problem. Lack of public transport outside the Airport is one major problem faced by the regular passengers. The airport is sitauted outside the city. Those can't take the Shuttle bus to airport have to pay a heavy amount i.e. upto Rs.800 to heir a taxi to the Airport.

Hyderabad- Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

Location: Shamsabad, 19 miles from the city center. The international and domestic terminals are integrated.
Travel Time to the City: 1 to 2 hours.

Just like the Bangalaore, Hyderabad airport is also a new one atarted in March 2008. hyderabad Airport is also operated by Public operator. The facilities provided by the airport are very good. The airport manages about 7 million passengers evry year. The 'in line' baggage screening facility is just great. Most of the airports have a few check - in & immigration counters but Hyderabad airport has many, which provides an easy and hassel free access to the airport. The cafeteria lounge and the custom shops are very expensive.

Chennai International Airport

Location: near Pallavaram, 9 miles south of the city. Both the international and domestic terminals are in the same building.
Travel Time to the City: an easy 20 minutes.

Chennai is the main city in southern part of India. It can be called the southern capital of India. So the Chennai airport is the main hub for arrivals and departures in south India. It manages about 8 million passengers yearly. This is the airport which is not yet privatised and thus operated by the Government of India. The condition of the Airport is not that good as in the other cities but is okay. The condition of the airport may improve if this airport, like others. is privatised. It is said that there will be a renovation taking place somewhere in 2011 to upgrade the condition and the facilities. Till then the airport will have few of the standard facilities only.

Kolkata- Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport

Location: Dum Dum, 10 miles from the city, with both the international and domestic terminals in the same building.
Travel Time to the City: 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Kolkata Airport handles approximately 5 million passengers in a year. Out of the 5 million travelers, about 75% passengers are the domestic passengers. The airport is very small and old. Like Chennai airport Kolkata airport is also mahaged and operated by Government of India. The amanities and facilitied provided here are of standard quality. The immigration process is very time consuming and the officers at the airport work in a slow pace. The upgradation will take place in the year 2011. May be then it will be an airport with outstanding amenities and facilities and then it will be compared with the Delhi and Mumbai airport standards.