Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport - Modernisation

Modernisation

In November 2008, the construction of a new terminal commenced. This integrated terminal is to serve both international and domestic services.

A Thai-based consortium, along with Kolkata-based Sikka Associates, were hired to construct the building. It will spread over 233,000 m2 (2,510,000 sq ft).

• The terminal will be an L-shaped structure, containing six levels.
• 2 underground parking levels accommodating 3000 cars.
• Another 2000 cars above the ground can be accommodated in a landscaped outdoor area.
• 128 check-in counters based on CUTE (Common User Terminal Equipment) technology.
• 78 immigration counters, and twelve customs counters.
• 30 elevators.
• 18 escalators.
• 15 travelators.
• 30 conveyor belts.
• 18 Aerobridges.
• 57 remote parking bays will be available
• A fountain with a 18 foot bronze statue of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

The former airport hotel 'Ashok' has been demolished to give way to two new five-star luxury hotels and a shopping mall in its place.

The terminal is expected to be inaugurated on 23 January 2013 on the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose., after overshooting the previous deadlines of July 2011 and August 2012. The transition of airlines to this terminal may take several months, and is not expected to finish until March 2013.

Kolkata's current international and domestic terminals will close when the integrated terminal opens. However, the international terminal may still be utilized for future hajj services, and the domestic terminal could be used by regional airlines. An earlier proposal of continuing low-cost carrier operations from the existing domestic terminal has been shelved due to the need to fully utilize the new integrated terminal.

The new terminal has attracted the interest of airlines that are considering extending their operations to Kolkata. These include Malaysia Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Turkish Airlines and FlyDubai.

Work on the secondary runway extension, rapid exit taxiways and parking bays are also in progress. The secondary runway has been extended by 400 m (1,300 ft) on the northern side. On the southern side, 1000 ft extension work is under way along with the construction of a new taxiway. The secondary runway is being fitted with CAT-I facilities for night use. The primary runway has been upgraded from CAT-I to CAT-II ILS facility to help aircraft landing in poor visibility.