Delhi: Despite alerts, hundreds of SpiceJet, IndiGo passengers reach wrong-terminal
Despite several hoardings, text messages, e-mails and phone calls by Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) intimating about the partial shift of operations of IndiGo and SpiceJet to T2, many have been turning up at T1. Some were unaware of the development, while some booked their tickets well in advance and had T1 printed on those. Others simply did not check their tickets properly.
Why have the operations been shifted?
Ending a four-month battle with DIAL, IndiGo and SpiceJet shifted their partial flight operations to T2 from yesterday. While SpiceJet shifted 22 flights, IndiGo moved as many as 102 flights to that terminal. GoAir complied with DIAL's order and shifted their entire operations to T2 back in October 2017. DIAL had asked for the shifting since T1 is getting upgraded to accommodate more passengers.
Meeasures taken: Free DTC bus services, officials stood on road
Sensing that people would make mistakes, officials of both the airlines stood on the roads leading to the airport, guiding passengers to the right terminal. A free DTC bus service was available to shuttle passengers to T2. In fact, yesterday from 7 AM to 2 PM alone, 400 passengers were ferried, indicating the number of people who turned up at the wrong terminal.
Follow the bright yellow tee-clad youngsters: IndiGo
A passenger appreciates the arrangements made by airlines
"I didn't realize that the flight would take off from the new terminal. I was told by airline officials to board a shuttle bus from 1D. The authorities were very helpful," said Naveen Bania, who had come to drop his mother for a Bagdogra-bound flight.
All departures were on time, none missed their flight
It was fortunate that despite the chaos, no departure was delayed and no one missed their flight. "On day one, all our departures left either on time or before time without any No-Shows," said Aditya Ghosh, IndiGo President, which operated 18 flights within 12 hours. Meanwhile, SpiceJet operated 8 flights in the morning and said that 'all have been on time.'
T2 starts off operations like a king!
T2 saw long queues yesterday due to less number of gates, but other arrangements were elaborate: 74 check-in counters, 18 self-check-in kiosks, 12 X-ray machines, 16 boarding gates and six baggage reclaim belts. T2, after renovation in 2017, can handle 12 million passengers annually.
