Step into a world where Indian airports have transformed into captivating destinations, surpassing their global counterparts in charm and amenities. Gone are the days of the roaring jet engines at LA International Airport; today’s young Indian jet setters are greeted with a level of luxury that surpasses even the airports of the developed world.
The evolution of modern airports in India was a result of liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation, forcing the aviation industry and airport management to ponder their future. Initially met with resistance from leftist parties, the corporate entities, such as Adani and GMR, took over the management of major airports like Hyderabad and Mumbai, turning them into bustling mini-cities that captivate the imagination of every traveler.
One fortunate aspect for the airport concessionaires is the increasing layover times in regional connectivity flights across the country. This affords travelers ample opportunities to explore the airports, indulge in shopping, and savor a wide array of culinary delights in the lavish lounges.
The expansion of the regional airport network in India has bolstered the influx of “Airport Tourists,” with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and Delhi serving as hubs for regional travel. Even tier II cities in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh are aspiring to elevate their “Airport Tourism” offerings. Rani Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, Mangaluru International Airport, and Ahmedabad Airport have ambitious plans to enhance their facilities.
Embark on a journey where airports transcend their conventional purpose, inviting travelers to indulge in a unique form of tourism. Experience the allure of Indian airports, where every visit becomes an unforgettable adventure.
The modern airports took some time for the Liberalisation, privitisation and globalisation to sink in. But when it did, it had the world of aviation and airport management something to mull about.
There was a huge cry when few corporate entities took over the management of the airports in the country from the leftist parties. Groups like Adani and GMR in western and central India, major airports like Hyderabad and Mumbai are now mini cities in themselves and average flyers wait for the first opportunity to to indulge.
Luckily for the concessionaires of the airports the layover times in the regional connectivity flights are increasing in almost all airports in the country. This gives every flyer more time for exploring the airports and use the layover time to shop and indulge in the array of food and lounge.
A frequent flyer Raunak Singh, a hotelier from Mumbai who was waiting at the Hyderabad airport said “I have coined the word Airport Tourism I do not know if the world of etymology accepts this word or not, nevertheless the word sounds apt for the emerging trends. I am a hotelier and the kind of hospitality traits I find in Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports the food counters, their ware and service are just world class”
A compulsive shopper Sanjana Rao, a Management expert said “the concessionaires in the modern airports can be comparable to the international boutiques. At Hyderabad Airport an entire street as big as Brigade Road in Bengaluru has opened up for the shoppers. It is just delightful”
The opening up of the regional airports network in the country has further fortified the steady flow of ‘Airport Tourists’ with Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi playing hub to the regional network even the tier II cities in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh may sooner or later will try to scale up their ‘Airport tourism’ tenets. The Rani Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, Mangaluru International Airport and Ahmedabad Airport have big plans to spruce up their facilities.
However frequent fliers have a grouse against the priceline of things in the airports. What makes the concessionnaires to charge Rs. 350 for a single Dosa, Rs. 320 for a two slice vegetarian bread sandwich? Coffee at Rs. 220? And a humble bottle of water 500 ML at Rs. 70? However MNC outlets like KFC, McDonalds, Subway, have maintained their off Airport outlet prices. Many budget fliers carry a couple of dry meals because a family of four may have to spend nothing less then Rs. 3000 for a normal meal inside the airports. Suma Sudarshan who was travelling from Hyderabad to Indore told this correspondent at Hyderabad airport that “I, my husband and two children arrived at Hyderabad airport from Bangalore on the way to Indore, the layover in Hyderaba was gruelling 6 hours. I knew the priceline at the food kiosks would be prohibitive for a family of middle class to bear. So I had packed few sandwiches from home. The same Sandwiches at the kiosk at the Hyderabad airport would have cost us Rs. 1750, I could pull off at just Rs. 100!”.
In a recent incident celebrity traveller Rakhee Savant had a fracas over the price of a single Idly and Vada for which she had to cough up Rs. 600, somebody made video of her argument and resentment over the prices of food stuff at airports and made it viral.