Flying With Luxury

The transformation of Indian airports has been remarkable, with modern terminals and state-of-the-art infrastructure, ensuring a seamless journey for passengers from check-in to boarding. Notable examples include the big international airports including those at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai among other cities including some greenfield airports currently under works. Most of the established, big-city-based airports have already undergone extensive expansions, showcasing cutting-edge technology and opulence comparable with some of the world's busiest airports. The passenger experience is prioritised from the moment travellers enter these terminals, featuring efficient check-in and security processes that reduce waiting times and enhance overall travel efficiency. Recent years have seen significant investments in airport infrastructure, resulting in substantial improvements such as upgraded runways and terminals, successfully reducing congestion and improving passenger flow.

Says Indiver Rastogi, President & Group Head, Global Business Travel, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel: “The advancements in baggage handling and security measures, such as the implementation of self-service check-in kiosks, have streamlined procedures and significantly reduced wait times and queues. To cater to diverse passenger needs, dedicated areas have been designated for families and individuals with special requirements.”

Airport services are organised into three main categories: pre-departure services (check-in, security, immigration), post-departure services (boarding gates, lounges, duty-free shops), and additional categories like restaurants, ATMs, and currency exchange. Beyond these essentials, airports now provide various amenities such as childcare facilities, spas, and fitness centres, with some even featuring on-site hotels and conference rooms.

Sandeep Arora, Director of Brightsun Travel says, “Facilities like DigiYatra in six airports have been introduced, ensuring paperless boarding facilities to the travellers.” Nearly $12 billion is to be spent in the coming years for airport development, including the construction of 21 new greenfield airports, with the goal of adding nearly 80 airports in the next five years. This investment is poised to significantly improve the facilities for travellers across the country, Arora adds.  

Efficient Check-In and Security Procedures

Indian airports prioritise efficient passenger processes by implementing self-check-in kiosks, e-gates, and automated baggage handling systems, expediting movement. The integration of biometric identity verification enhances security and accelerates immigration procedures, contributing to an improved overall passenger experience. Delhi International Airport's CEO, Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, emphasises adapting to evolving passenger expectations through technology-driven solutions, ensuring enhanced comfort, care, and convenience for all travellers at IGIA, the largest and busiest airport in India. He adds, “Being in the service sector, we are continuously working to provide a seamless and caring experience to all our passengers. With this aim, we have introduced a plethora of service offerings at the airport, including Digiyatra, Self-baggage Drop, Common User Self-Service (Cuss), HOI app, Dining Experience and Lounges.” 

Improved Shopping Experience and Luxury Lounging

Even the retail and dining options at Indian airports have been revamped to meet international standards. Passengers can now indulge in a variety of shopping experiences, including duty-free outlets offering a wide range of products and high-end luxury brands. Reuben Walter D’Souza, Brand Manager at Perona, a home-grown luxury brand, also available at Mumbai Airport, says the expansion of retail options, including luxury brands, diverse retail outlets, and duty-free shops, have provided airports with additional revenue streams. “This is crucial for airports and airlines as they seek to diversify income beyond traditional sources like ticket sales.”

Indian airports also feature enhanced facilities, including exclusive lounges, meet-and-greet services, and advanced baggage handling systems to cater to the growing needs of air travellers. These lounges redefine the business class experience with luxurious amenities such as plush seating, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a buffet offering delectable food and fine beverages. Vikas Sharma, CEO of Encalm Hospitality, notes the significant expansion and improvement of airport facilities in India, resulting in modernised terminals and spacious waiting areas. Encalm's exclusive lounges at Delhi, Manohar International Airport, Goa, and Hyderabad Airport are recognised for their luxurious seating, private workstations, complimentary refreshments, and dedicated staff, elevating the overall airport experience. "Encalm Hospitality at Delhi, Manohar International Airport, Goa, and Hyderabad Airport are dedicated to offering travellers an elevated airport experience. We take pride in being part of the positive change in airport facilities in India, focusing on comfort, relaxation, and indulgence for travellers,” says Sharma.

New-Look Airports

As India's air travel sector continues to expand, Hyderabad International Airport, managed by GMR Airport Infrastructure is undertaking a comprehensive phase-wise expansion to accommodate over 34 million passengers. The key highlights of the expansion include revamped passenger terminal. The airport's passenger terminal, covering 2,17,664 square metres, has been revamped with additional check-in counters, security-screening machines, emigration counters, immigration counters, and improved lounges, retail, and F&B outlets. A new arrival hall with indoor landscapes and duty-free shopping further enhances the passenger experience.

Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport says, “With our state-of-the-art integrated terminal, runway enhancements and implementation of cutting-edge technologies like smart terminal entry and security clearance, self-baggage drop has propelled Hyderabad Airport as a crucial hub for international travel.”

Hyderabad Airport has emerged as the fourth busiest Indian airport. During FY 22-23, it handled 21 million passengers and is expected to serve over 25 million passengers in the current fiscal. “Our terminal has been certified with the World Health Organisation's Good Storage and Distribution Practices (WHO-GSDP) as well. Presently the work is in progress on expansion and modernisation of the cargo terminal. On the sustainability front, Hyderabad airport is entirely powered by a hundred per cent green energy and we are actively working on measures to reduce our carbon footprint in our goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2030,” says Panicker.

The Maryada Purushottam Shriram International Airport (Ayodhya airport), which is coming up in Ayodhya district of Uttar Pradesh and is expected to be operational soon, is being hailed as one among the finest Indian airports in the works. The project is a brownfield upgrade of Faizabad Airstrip spread across 821 acres of land. Once operational, the Ayodhya Airport is set to become a vital transportation hub, offering improved connectivity to this historic and spiritual city alongside all the modern facilities to the growing air travellers. 

“With our state-of-the-art integrated terminal, runway enhancements and implementation of cutting-edge technologies like smart terminal entry and security clearance, the self-baggage drop has propelled Hyderabad Airport as a crucial hub for international Travel” - Pradeep Panicker, CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport

“We need to adapt to evolving passenger expectations through technology-driven solutions, ensuring enhanced comfort, care, and convenience for all travellers at IGIA, the largest and busiest airport in India” - Videh Kumar Jaipuriar, CEO, Delhi International Airport