Indira Gandhi - most expensive airport

A highly-commended Indian airport is set to become more expensive for passengers and airlines than any other on Earth, according to an airline industry group.

On 25 April 2012, AERA - India's Airports Economic Regulatory Authority - announced that charges at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi will increase 346 per cent.

The increase takes effect from 15 May and applies for the next 24 months. Set to significantly affect the many airlines that use Indira Gandhi, the charges will inevitably be transferred, down the line, to passengers.

Already, GMR Infrastructure - responsible for the running of Indira Gandhi's Terminals 1 and 3 - has forecast a two-level price increase programme to come on ticket fees, with domestic flights set to inflate by 290 Rupees and international flights, twice that amount.

Most Expensive Airport

Of the airlines operating at what's set to become the most expensive airport, one - Emirates - has already expressed concern over these new charges. "Emirates is concerned by the proposed increase in airport charges at Delhi airport", a representative explained to Gulf News, adding: "We are currently in discussions with the relevant authority."

IATA - the International Air Transport Association - meanwhile, has spoken of the situation in extremely strong terms. "India's aviation industry is already sick", IATA's assistant corporate communications director, Albert Tjoeng, stated. "This increase in Delhi's charges will put it in intensive care from a cost perspective."

Indira Gandhi Airport Charges

India's residents, many of whom are already reportedly more inclined to travel by train, could be discouraged further from flying, once the Indira Gandhi Airport charges take effect.

Indira Gandhi International Airport handled close to 30 million passengers in 2011 and, in the same year, was recognised by Airport Council International as the world's second-best airport with a 25-40m passenger capacity.

By 2030, it's planned for the hub to be able to handle no less than 100 million passengers and a major expansion programme's presently in motion. In 2010, one element of this expansion was completed with the opening of Indira Gandhi Terminal 3 - the eighth-biggest terminal in the world.

Source: airport-int.com

By: Progress On 02:39

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Berlin Brandenburg Airport Passenger Trials

A major new airport's now on the verge of opening to the public in one of Europe's key capital cities.

On 3rd June, commercial operations at Berlin Brandenburg Airport will get underway but, right now - with the airport's main infrastructure now in place and ready to go - the site's hosting proof-of-concept trials to ensure it functions as it should.

Thousands of people are therefore simulating a typical passenger journey through Berlin Brandenburg and testing out its check-in desks, security checkpoints, lounges and other zones.

Berlin Brandenburg Passenger Trials

Once the Berlin Brandenburg passenger trials are completed and the hub's declared open on 3 June, it will effectively become the German capital's primary major airport, replacing no less than three previous sites. Not so many years ago, Berlin had Tegel, Tempelhof and Schonefield all in operation. Tempelhof, however, was closed four years ago while Tegel's set to transfer its international flights over to the new hub, which is sited on the same area as Schonefield.

The creation of this sole, unified airport is thought of as the next stage in the reunification of Berlin, over two decades on from the collapse of the Berlin Wall.

"Berliners are really waiting for the new airport", tourism bureau visitBerlin's CEO, Burkhard Kieker, explained in a recent statement. "We say it's one of the last missing jigsaw puzzle pieces in the resurrection of Berlin as an international mega city."

According to Berlin Brandenburg Airport's operator, the initial goal is to handle no less than 25 million passengers between June 2012 and June 2013.

Airport Passenger Trials

In a press release published on 25 April 2012, Berlin Brandenburg Airport issued a final call to residents living in Berlin and Brandenburg who might be interested in taking part in the airport passenger trial runs. Four more days of them are planned for 3rd May, 8 May, 16 May and 22 May and those wanting to participate have to be aged 18+ and be reasonably mobile.

Source: airport-int.com

By: Progress On 02:32

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FlyRights: Sikh Airport Security Complaint

A group called the Sikh Coalition has launched a mobile phone app to give Sikh airport passengers a direct line of complaint that goes straight to the US Government.

Designed to be used in instances of unfair treatment, discrimination and other issues related to airport security, the FlyRights app is free to acquire and was given a worldwide launch on 30 April 2012.

As this article was being prepared, two FlyRights reports had already been submitted: one gender-based, the other religion-based. These, as with others to follow, will be looked into by both the US DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and the US TSA - the US Transport Security Administration.

According to the Sikh Coalition, US airports have been responsible for patting-down and unfairly treating Sikhs for many years and, at certain sites, secondary screening - one level up from standard screening - seems to be compulsory.

FlyRights App

"The TSA asserts it doesn't profile", the Sikh Coalition's Director of Programs, Amardeep Singh, explains in the official FlyRights app launch press release. "All travellers now have an easy way of speaking to their government on the issue of airport profiling."

FlyRights is compatible with both Android phones and iPhones and it's already been given strong support by many. Says Senator Dick Durbin: "The vast majority of law enforcement officers perform their jobs honorably and courageously. Unfortunately, the inappropriate actions of the few who engage in racial profiling create mistrust and suspicion that hurts all law enforcement officers. This app is an important new tool that allows passengers to fight profiling."

"For too long, the TSA has kept a long leash on its screeners, telling them not to profile but taking no effective measures to stop it", adds Singh. "Until that happens, we call on the public to hold the TSA accountable by downloading the Fly-Rights app and filing reports when appropriate."

Sikh Airport Security Complaints

As reported by Airport International, in 2007 - over four years prior to this Sikh airport security complaints app's launch - the TSA introduced a new Sikh headwear policy, making it acceptable for turbans to be kept in place while airport security checks were in progress. This, though, would make the travellers in question subject to isolated pat down and screening procedures.

Under current TSA rules, screeners still have the right to ask Sikh passengers to remove their turbans but, equally, Sikhs can refuse this, so long as they explain the objects' religious significance.

Source: airport-int.com

By: Progress On 02:31

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