Sucks !!

The new Hyderabad International Airport opened with hype and expectations of a world class facility (which was being promised and also expected, as you don't get an opportunity to create something new, everyday). Forget the political drama that followed with the opening of the airport and the haste shown by the developer in throwing open the facilities, but the experience is far from WOW, rather it makes one say UHH... ! Lets have a quick look at what this airport means to the people of Hyderabad : a. The old airport, which was within the city has been closed for commercial operations, to accommodate the new one. b. The new airport is roughly 35 Km from the old airport (can be considered as centre). c. With such a large distance, the travel options for the people in the city are limited, as the most cost effective Auto rickshaw are out of question (besides a restriction put up on their entry at the New Airport - simply meaning, you cant got to the new airport by an Auto anymore) Now, well, its worth the travel, if the airport you are planning offers something more to the traveller, such that all these disadvantages become easier to accept. One may argue that at all the places - KL, Heathrow, Brussels ...blah blah blah... the airports are far away and people still go to them to catch the flights. Agreed. However, those who planned these airports, also ensured that there was a rail link to them, such that a common man can take a convenient connection to reach the airport. At Hyderabad, there is no question of having a rail link. The Government and the developer, both have shown absolute lack of vision and didn't consider of even thinking about it. Moreover, even the road to the airport is not ready. If my estimates are correct, its another 2 years that we may have to wait for the hi-speed road which will connect the city to the airport. Here is what it means to your pocket : Taxi costs for 35 Km @ Rs. 15 per Km - 600 Rs. (includes surcharges etc) Airline ticket if you book 30 days in advance - 500 Rs. (plus taxes of 1800 Rs.) Wait a sec, yes, the Airport connects FOUR pick up points in the city with a population of 1.2 Crores by the buses planned by the airport and charge you Rs. 100. BUT, you cant book the ticket in advance, no guarantees that once you board the bus- you will reach in time for the fligth as the road is woeful. So... if you want to catch this bus, take an auto to reach their pick up point, hold your breath that you will immediately board the bus.. and reach the airport in time. Hats off to you guys... we need to learn how to fool people from you! There is one board, which tells you that the distance of the Airport from Masabtank is 22 Km. With as many as 10 visit to this airport the distance shown by 20 different vehicle is 28 Km average, between these two points - whom and why are you fooling people? Now don't say that it is the aerial distance !!! International Experience One can write a big book on this subject. Infact, either the developer or the aviation minister needs to understand, what is meant by an International Experience (offcourse, it doesn't meant that you put huge glass all across the airport building). Visit some International Airports please and you will hang your heads in shame! There are 7 aero bridges at our INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT ! Sheer lack of vision, which we are used to! The old airport had 5 and the new facility has 7 !!! Grow up guys! Even the Prague airport in Czech Republic must be having close to 25 aerobridges ! What a woeful waste of public resources and fractured vision about the future ! And ... for using this facility, common person will have to cough up 1000 Rs. user development surcharge. So guys... its you and I who are going to fill up the coffers for these myopic monuments! I am sure, the capacity of the airport will be full in couple of years and we will start facing the same bus stand queues at this airport as well ! All in all, this airport has been a big disappointment!