First flight takes from tBIAL

Bangalore: After months of delays and anticipation, the first flight from the much-awaited Bengaluru International Airport took off on Saturday.

According to Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) the distance between the alighting point outside the terminal building and check-in counters is very little. The airport has got 53 check-in counters, and can handle up to 2,733 passengers per hour. There are 18 self check-in counters as well.

The new airport differs from other airports in the country in one crucial aspect. You don't walk in, screen your bags and proceed to check-in. Here, you go straightaway to check-in, dump your bags. They will screen your bags for you.

And what of the IT community's fears that the new airport will not be able to handle the increase in the number of passengers over the next few months? Those fears are baseless, says the head of the new airport.

"We can easily handle traffic for the next two or three years. We can easily handle 14 million passengers easily. So these allegations are baseless," BIAL CEO Albert Brunner says.

But despite that, catching a flight to Chennai or Kochi may not be a great idea, simply because of the time spent in travelling to the airport. However, once you're at the airport, there's plenty to indulge in — 15 food and beverage outlets, 18 shopping outlets, and 4 lounges, take your pick!

And finally, we recommend you come in early and take in the sights!

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