Kolkata Airport Finally Fixes Decade-Old Design Flaw for Arriving Passengers
Key Points
- 1One of three new restroom blocks on the upper arrival concourse is set to open this month (January 2026), with the others following by March.
- 2The project rectifies a design flaw in the integrated terminal Kolkata, which opened in 2013, forcing arriving passengers to walk past the entire baggage belt area to find a restroom.
- 3The upgrade will serve passengers arriving through 11 gates (14 to 25) and is part of a broader airport restroom revamp addressing hygiene issues.
- 4The move is expected to significantly boost passenger convenience and improve the airport's global service quality metrics.
Relief is finally coming for travelers landing at Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU). The airport is fixing a major airport design flaw that has caused inconvenience for over a decade. This flaw was the complete absence of restrooms on the upper arrival concourse.
This upper level is where passengers exit the aircraft. They enter the integrated terminal Kolkata via domestic terminal via aerobridges. Passengers currently must walk the entire length of the arrival corridor. They must then descend to the lower level to find a restroom. This long, frantic walk has been a major source of passenger frustration.
The Decade-Old Flaw
The airport's integrated terminal was inaugurated in January 2013. It became fully functional in March of that year. The design oversight has been a sore point ever since its opening. Crew often restrict access to aircraft lavatories well before touchdown. This makes immediate access to facilities upon landing essential. Although the distance to the baggage belt is short, the walk to the nearest restroom was the farthest among metro airports. The lack of passenger convenience has often led to chaos and frayed tempers. Travelers with children or the elderly were especially affected.
Infrastructure Upgrade Details
Airport officials are now rectifying this long-standing issue. The first of three much-needed new toilet blocks is nearly complete. It is set to open this month, according to airport authorities. The remaining two blocks will be ready by March.
These three new facilities will be located on the upper arrival concourse. They will serve passengers arriving through 11 gates, specifically gates 14 through 25. Work is reportedly 90% complete on the first set of facilities. These include separate toilets for women, men, and the disabled. Furthermore, five additional toilet blocks are planned for the lower arrival level.
This project is part of a larger airport infrastructure upgrade. The airport is also undertaking a full airport restroom revamp across the entire terminal. This includes demolishing and reconstructing existing toilets. New floor tiles, wall tiles, and sanitary fixtures are being installed. This addresses long-standing complaints about hygiene and odor.
Impact on Passenger Experience
The upgrades are crucial for improving the overall passenger experience improvement at the hub. The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) has been working to enhance its service quality. The airport showed significant improvement in the Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Service Quality (ASQ) rankings. In the Jan-March 2025 quarter, Kolkata airport achieved a score of 4.92 out of 5. This score is well above the global average of 4.3. However, passenger dissatisfaction with washroom hygiene was still noted in the survey. The new upper-level restrooms will directly address this negative feedback. This commitment to basic amenities is vital for a major hub like CCU. Many domestic flights, including those operated by major carriers like IndiGo, utilize this terminal. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) stresses the importance of smooth terminal flow for all travelers. The ability to handle large aircraft like the Airbus A380 was part of the original terminal's design. Now, the focus is on improving the human element of travel. These changes will help Kolkata maintain its upward trajectory in global service rankings. For more commercial aviation news and updates on airport development, visit our site.
Topics
You Might Also Like
Discover more aviation news based on similar topics
Why Indian Air Travel Delays Persist and Airport Design Flaws Frustrate Flyers.
Indian air travel faces persistent delays and cancellations, affecting millions of passengers due to poor airline on-time performance and airport design flaws that prioritize retail
How Aeroflot Managed 42 New Year Flights for Over 8,300 Passengers
Aeroflot reported that over 8,300 passengers, including 709 children, celebrated the New Year 2026 aboard 42 festive flights, requiring extensive ground and air crew support.
Virginia Family Seeks $200,000 From Delta, KLM Over Alleged Bed Bug Attack on Flight
Delta Air Lines and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines face a $200,000 lawsuit from a Virginia family claiming a bed bug infestation on a March flight from Atlanta to Amsterdam.
Manila's NAIA Shatters Record with 52 Million Passengers; What's Next?
Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) set a new record with 52.02 million passengers in 2025, driven by sustained air travel demand and major infrastructure upgrades.
Akasa Air Passenger Alleges Fungal Infection From Unhygienic Cabin Seats
Akasa Air is reviewing a passenger's claim of developing a severe fungal infection allegedly caused by unhygienic cabin seats on a December 26 flight.
Future Changi Terminal 5 Link Promises Four-Minute Transfer to T2.
Changi Airport Group reveals the new Terminal 5 automated people-mover system will connect to Terminal 2 in just four minutes, significantly boosting transit capacity for the mid-2030s
Never Miss Critical Aviation Updates
Get the top aviation stories delivered to your inbox every morning