Certainly CIAL is an airport every Keralite can be proud of. However, I am just highlighting the ’embarking and disembarking process" and some points here in comparison to other international airports.
- Drop off and pick-up - In big international airports you have arrivals and departures seggregated vertically. eg. Departure at high level and arrival at low level. Here it is split at the ground level itself. There is no kerb as such.
It is just an asphalt pavement; the pedestrian and traffic separated by concrete blocks between which you maeouvre your luggage trolley. Trolleys in good condition are available in plenty free of charge (In JFK you PAY a couple of $ via your credit card)
There is no multistory car park. All cars are parked in an open area (paid parking) While you drive to the airport , sometimes you can see cars waiting on the road shoulder outside the airport, waiting for that phone call so as to avoid the parking fees.
The public are not allowed into the check-in area. One need to show the ticket along with Passport at the entrace itself to the Central Govt guard(s) weilding rifles. So, even if you may be able to check in with a frequent flyer card, you will not be able to make it to the check in counter in the first place because of the screeing at the point of entry. (Update - Public can now access the arrival/dep hall until a certain designated point by taking a Rs 50 or so - ticket)
Check-in luggage will be weighed and security seals or straps will be affixed soon after the gate well before you reach the check-in. There is no facility to check the weight of your luggage and re-pack. Before checking in there could be some agency staff asking if your luggage need to be wrapped in clingwrap for security reason or otherwise.
There are sufficient number of check-in counters (about 20 nos), display terminals and people to guide you to the correct queues. Immigration forms are given at the check-in counters. A narrow passage not wider than 3 meters takes all the passengers from 20 counters to the immigration queue.
(Update - the narrow passage has now disappeared and it is a huge hall now. The check-in counters have more than doubled too)
If I am not mistaken, there is a lounge operated by Oberoi, free for Business class of certain airlines. But for cattle class also, it is a lounge worth to spend your time and money if you need some last minute business notes wrapping up garnished by a light meal. (I understand it is a wifi hot spot too)(Update - the present lounge is by Taj - but the acccess is even before check-in)
Immigartion queue can keep you 10 to 30 minutes. The holding duration in these queues have improved in the recent times. If you flew in, pls keep a bookmark at your arrival endorsement page, this will save the trouble for the officer to flip thru and find that ’Arrived’ seal - particularly if you are a frequent traveller with many endorsement in your passport .
2 girls gives you tags (not necessarily of the same airline you are flying) for you to affix on your handcarry. This is for the security to endorse later that you are OK. While fisking, you are advised by the security to place your loose stuff like mobile in your hand carry. in the process, pls do not forgetfully put your boarding pass as well in the check in luggae. The boarding pass will be required for endorsement after frisking.
Collect your baggage, you may be asked to open it if there is someting suspicious during scan. (better than Heathrow removing and scanning your footwear.)
Then you take an escalator to the cavernous departure hall. (I have not seen lifts- or maybe it is there?) A lady will give you some flyer on winning gold coins while buying some car (or perhaps the other way round) and then she will watch you ascend on the escaltor to the departure lounge. where wide comfortable seats in rows facing each other with some LCD screen playing local channels. Facilties like snack bars and kiosks Rs 10 coffee/ tea. Reasonably priced duty free with assorted spices and teas in gift packs. 500gm cashew in tim for US$7. Liquors, cosmetics, banana chips fo US 1.0, buy 2 and get 1 Heiniken 330ml for US$2, HiDesign leather bags and laptop cases (VFM) , jewellery, cosmetics etc for your last minute shopping pleasure. The duty free areas are being renovated and expanded. Cannot pay in rupees, credit cards accepted (not sure if Indain credit cards are accepted?) . Free phones for local calls and mobile charging stations are available.
There is new holding area with plenty of good seating. Boarding announcements are crisp and clear with visual display as well, security again checks the boarding pass and hand carry tag endorsement and off you go to the boarding gate and the aerobridge, which is not that far away. You walk past well thriving potted plants.
After landing, the plane approaches the terminal quite rapidly rather than rolling a few kilometers on the tarmac. Reverse process at the airport when you arrive is not so ceremonious.
- Fill the forms in the flight itself and make a beeline to the many immigration counters with shortest queue. (queue for ladies avaialble - however signage not that noticeable). A small slip declaring your baggage will be given back - for you to present while you exit after collecting baggage.
Go past a scanner portal & pass your hand carry thru a belt scanner; if at all manned by custom who is probably monitoring the burden of gold you are hauling in; before to descend on an escalator to the baggage hall. (again - occassional gold coin - car flyer distribution cum escalator look out lady)
Similar duty free downstairs. Not so much selection however. (eg. no Heiniken beer offer). Your hand baggage or other luggage not allowed inside the duty free. So leave it outside at your own peril.
Lugggage comes to the carousel in quite a short time. However, if you dont spot your luggage, most of the time, some airport hand offloads it from the belt and put it beside the belt; so as to decongest the belt. So you must have an eye on such holding bags as well. Proper facility to report your lost baggage etc..
Collect your luggage and go past the custom officers in white who may ask politely if there is anything to declare. I found the experience quite civilized unlike my past experience at TVM, MAA, BOM in the 90’s when COKNed was not open. (update - keep the small stub of the immigration form - to be handed to the police in khakhi uniform almost at the exit door, past the custom officers in white)
Give the baggage declaration counterfoil to one of the 2 policemen in brown dress and exit
Pre-paid taxis available to city and elsewhere at reasonable prices (in pre-determined fare stages). I hear the tickets are issued for non-aircon cabs. I think you will pay the driver additional for aircon??
Did not see any free phones. However manned pay phone booths available outside the airport.
Persons coming to meet and greet can enter a small holding area within the airport immediately afyer customs by paying 40 Rs? or so for visitors ticket. Otherwise it is possible for them to stay just outside the exit door with a placard.
Never seen any touts or shady blokes etc outside the airport. So far I had many pleasant take offs and landings from this lovely airport which has made a lot of difference to my professional and family life..Hope CIAL will expand and have more flights to many more international destinations and do Kerala proud.