Panaji: Dabolim airport will begin trial operations for its new integrated passenger terminal on Friday to identify the 'teething problems' of the new building, airport director M Suresh told TOI. For the first week, only arrivals will be hosted here, he added.
The towering steel and glass structure with floor space measuring over 64,000 sq m was inaugurated on December 3 by Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh. At four times the size of the old terminal, the new building can accommodate 2,750 passengers per hour. The number of counters for checking in luggage, booths for frisking and security, customs and immigration kiosks have been doubled to avoid long queues, the director said.
"We are looking to host passengers arriving on the last few flights on Friday. The terminal is fully furnished, and everything is in place, but the airlines do not have enough staff to be deployed at both buildings at the same time. The trial operations will give them a better idea of how to shift their existing systems to the new building, and also help in training staff," said Suresh. On Saturday, passengers from some select early-morning flights will be welcomed at the new building, he added.
24/01/14 Times of India
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The towering steel and glass structure with floor space measuring over 64,000 sq m was inaugurated on December 3 by Union civil aviation minister Ajit Singh. At four times the size of the old terminal, the new building can accommodate 2,750 passengers per hour. The number of counters for checking in luggage, booths for frisking and security, customs and immigration kiosks have been doubled to avoid long queues, the director said.
"We are looking to host passengers arriving on the last few flights on Friday. The terminal is fully furnished, and everything is in place, but the airlines do not have enough staff to be deployed at both buildings at the same time. The trial operations will give them a better idea of how to shift their existing systems to the new building, and also help in training staff," said Suresh. On Saturday, passengers from some select early-morning flights will be welcomed at the new building, he added.
24/01/14 Times of India
