We got a sneak peek of the new airport at Devanhalli last Sunday.

Did you know that the opening date of the airport is 31st March midnight, 2008? That was what René of the Zurich Airport team tells us as we huddle together at the new terminal building asking questions about whether it’s really going to be ready on time!

Countdown board at the Airport

At first sight, it doesn’t seem like it is going to be ready in a couple of months. But apparently, this is how an airport usually looks before it opens so we have to believe the expert here. The approach road to the airport is being done as of now and about half of it is cemented. The rest is still a kaccha trail.

Inside the airport area, we are a little surprised by the size of the terminal! Considering, we’ll be travelling around 3-4 hours (in peak time) to reach the airport, it does seem smaller than expected. The terminal, says René was built according to the 2005 projections (the airport itself was mooted in 1998!). So in the meanwhile, as air traffic has grown exponentially, the volumes that were initially projected are obviously not to the mark. But expansion plans are also in order already.

The arrival/departure lounge is going to be common for domestic and international travellers. We went around the different levels of the terminal. We saw around 7-8 luggage conveyor belts – considering there’s one currently in the airport – it’s quite an improvement!

Anyway, here are the pictures. I’m sure we’ll get to hear and see more of the airport in the next couple of months.

How we will travel to this new airport, is another discussion all together!

View of the runway

Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower

View of the airport area from the ATC

Another view of the terminal building from the top of the ATC

View from atop the ATC with Nandi Hills in the background

Arrival / Departure area

Check-in counters