Kolkata International Airport: History, Flights, Transportation & Passenger Tips

It is very convenient to fly all across the states and nations, crossing the vast oceans was once a matter to fear, but today people have yet to give much time to invest in such a matter. We book the ticket, board the flying machine, and reach the destination beyond mountains, fear, and ocean. In this article, we shall discuss everything you need to know about Kolkata Airport, now called Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Airport catering to Kolkata and the Kolkata Metropolitan region. 

 

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Let’s start with a little historical background.  It started as an expedition to connect the west and east for its suitable geographical position. It was called Dum Dum Airport later changed to Netaji Subash Chandra Bose Airport. 

 

International Airlines and destinations connected to Kolkata, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport. 

 

Airlines	International Destinations
Air Arabia	Abu Dhabi
AirAsia	Kuala Lumpur- International
Bhutan Airlines	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Paro
Bima Bangladesh Airlines	Dhaka
Drukair	Paro
Emirates	Dubai-International
Etihad Airways	Abu Dhabi
flydubai	Dubai-International
IndiGo	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Hanoi, Coimbatore,
Myanmar Airways International	Yangon
Novoair	Dhaka
Qatar Airways	Doha
Singapore Airlines	Singapore
SpiceJet	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Pakyong
Thai AirAsia	Bangkok-Don Mueang
Thai Airways International	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi
US-Bangla Airlines0	Chittagong, Dhaka

 

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International Cargo Shipping Service

 

Airlines	International Destinations
Atlas Air	Duba-AL Maktoum, Leige
IndiGo Cargo	Dhaka, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Hong Kong, Yangon
My Indo Airlines	Yangon
SpiceXpress	Exhou, Guiyang, Hanoi, Nanning, Yangon
World cargo Airlines	Yangon
YTO Cargo Airlines	Dubai-Al Maktoum, Hangzhou

 

How to reach to Kolkata International Airport

 

It is a well-known oldest fact that Kolkata is one of the busiest cities in the nation so it is also safe to plan to reach the airport three hours before boarding. The traffic gets uglier from 9 am till 7 pm. The arrival of online prepaid cab services makes everything less worrisome if you don’t have a car to reach the airport. There is the option of Kolkata bus transportation services at your rescue. The good news is a Planning and groundwork to facilitate metro services have been initiated for more convenience and to stabilize the pressure of traffic.  According to statistical records, passenger movement at this airport is 1976417 per annum. 

 

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Owner and partnerships 

 

Airports Authority of India owns and operates the Kolkata International Airport while Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil provide fuel partnership. The catering services are owned by Taj-Sata and Oberoi Flight Services.

 

Story of Lost Glory Hub: Kolkata Airport 

 

Kolkata which was ones played a significant part in catering airdrome during World War II, rising to fame among the major hubs had a fallout during the 1960s due to power and political mismanagement and the introduction of long-haul aircraft. Many airline services discontinued their involvement thus causing a decline in the fame and the 1971 India-Bangladesh Partition led to the further discontinuation of more services. Kolkata had endured many challenges and maladies.

However, it comes in 2005 there was a spark of the chance to restore its lost glory with the arrival of cheaper air services in the Indian aviation sector provided by Kingfisher Airlines, IndiGo, and SpiceJet which brought a drastic improvement and rise of passengers in the airport that demand a new planning for expansion to meet the over-crowding situation. More investment was given in taxi parting space, runways, and rapid-exit taxiways.

It is between 2014 and 2015, Kolkata Airport was awarded the title of Best Improved Airport in the Asia-Pacific region by the Airport Councils International. The airport also received the award of the Best Airport by Hygiene Measures in the Asia-Pacific in 2020 once again by Airport Councils International. 

 

What to do at The Kolkata International Airport.

 

Enjoy the architecture. Airports are designed and decorated to reflect the cultural heritage of that destination. Feel the need to observe around other than just boarding on the plane and walking out with your luggages. Enjoy duty-free delicacies like foreign-branded apparel, and liquor (only if your age is appropriate). Buying liquor from the airport is a very common practice. 

You may also v-blog your experience and upload it to help people with the entire process.

They have a gift shop where you get to buy high-quantity products in the catalog provided there at highly discounted prices. What is not tempting about discounts?

The Airport waiting hall is a very crowded place, but did you know there is a place inside the airport that people hardly visit due to insufficient knowledge about it? It is the premium lounge. It may sound expensive, but hear this out, there are ethical hacks to get there effortlessly. Research and read about it on internet sources before booking your plane ticket. Some banks offer free access to this place or access at a minimum price. It is a deal to steal. 

It is understandable if you think food in the airport is unreasonably expensive and sometimes the quality fails to meet the price. Many taxes commoners are unaware of are applied there. In this case Kolkata also has a special place right outside the terminals where you can enjoy your breakfast/lunch/dinner at a reasonable price, and during the Durga Pooja vacation, they give you free Rugula or Gulab Jamun added to your order.   

 

In case it is your first time traveling or boarding an international flight, feel no stress about your lack of knowledge. Seek help from the ground staff, they are literally scattered around looking out for people who are in need to save you from many troubles including missing your flight. 

There is a help service provider desk and you may also watch YouTube videos uploaded by content creators.

 

Airports these days also offer electric cars to help passengers if required upon request. 

 

If you ever happen to be here with some time to kill, feel the need to grab a taste of Best of Bengal’s Rosugula and if you are comfortable with a non-veg platter try out the best Bengali Fish Curry Thali. 

 

Welcome to Kolkata!

 

You are warmly welcomed and received by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose International Airport, Kolkata.

‘Kolkata-te Apnake Swagatam Korchi.’