This was the day when I was flying into the Bangalore International Airport (from Delhi). Had read reviews and had also being told that the departure was always good but the arrivals does bring in bad experiences. Well, this was my first arrival at the Bangalore International Airport (after the old H.A.L Airport was decommissioned).
The Pilot himself announced that with the new Bangalore International Airport coming up, the arrivals are always on time - with no need to circle the city (Bangalore) for the Air Traffic Controller to provide the clear passage when an available slot would be available in the old H.A.L Airport and the flight could land. Well, that does not ATC are out of job - they did give the clearance and it came without any delay.
The conveyor belts are in total 7 (compared to the H.A.L Airport that had only 3 conveyor belts). The rumour (as heard) was sometimes passengers had to wait 30-40 mins for the baggage's to arrive. The arrival/baggage claim lounge is so large that while we waited for the baggage - wondering when it would turn up - the silence was stunning !
Had seen earlier that the B.I.A.L - a/c VOLVO's departed on the hour, so when the baggage was collected and I exited the Airport - had around 5 min(s) to catch the a/c Volvo. Off-course, you will be met with free-lance Taxi drivers looking for a ride - if not walk on. The Pre-Paid taxi stand will be at your Left and the a/c Volvo Bus stand will be at your Right. They are both equidistant...must say, a nicely thought design. The best part is you can take the trolley all the way till the bus-boarding. No need to drag/pull/carry the luggage's if one is planning to take the Volvo.
The good thing is even the BMTC folks (dressed in White) - the official Volvo dress code, will be standing and directing the passengers to the awaiting Volvo's. Thus boarded the Volvo (BIAL-3, International Airport to Jeevanbhima Nagar) and started off at exactly 10:00 AM. Not bad, not bad at all. The journey was a 1:30 hr ride (as mentioned in the bmtc charts) and thus arrived at Jeevanbhima Nagar at 11:30 AM. Not to be forgotten, the Volvo conductor was quite courteous and helped out the passengers with the baggage's storage's, and coordinated dropping the passengers near auto-stops for easier next level transit.
Luckily, the auto driver did not charge much to travel to Vinayaka Nagar - very short distance !! - and was thus home by 11:45 AM. Over review of the arrival at B.I.A and the connecting transportation - will give a 8/10.
However, with rising prices of Aviation Fuel, B.I.A planning to add on an additional passenger tax (on top of what is already available) for all domestic/international to recover the new Airport usage, the rising cost of inflation - the Flight ticket prices are sky-rocketing.