Chandigarh's New Terminal is Now Officially Open

April 15, 2011: The new terminal at Chandigarh airport is finally open after a wait that kept increasing from months to years. International travelers in the area who have been awaiting international service are one step closer to getting their wish, as the airport is now fully capable to handle international flights. Once agreements are established with airline providers seeking to connect the Tricity, with international destinations, the international airport will be in full operation.

Kingfisher airlines operated the new terminal’s first arrival as well as its first departure from the new terminal with its Chandigarh-Delhi and Delhi-Chandigarh-Srinagar flights, respectively. A Jet Airways flight was scheduled to arrive first, but congestion at the Delhi airport delayed it. Flights took place after a 36 hour non-stop stretch of work by airport officials to ensure that no last minute glitches would take place for the terminal opening.

Passengers, who were excited to be a part of the terminal’s inauguration, expressed appreciation for the building’s high-class style. One traveling businessman commented that the building had an amazing ambiance and remarkable construction. Other passengers made similar comments.

VIPs present at the airport to board flights today included were IPL players of Chennai Super Kings and of Kings Punjab XI led by Preiti Zinta. Zinta marveled at the posh 77-crore building and enjoyed time spent in the lounge before boarding her flight to Mumbai.

Automated glass portals are there to welcome passengers into the new building. Nek Chand's work and Le Corbusier's famous modular man showcase Chandigarh culture to travelers once they have entered.

Check in counters are now more neatly arranged than ever, with new counters for all airlines set up in a
The clumsy set-up of check-in counters is a thing of the past with different airlines having new counters in the large check-in area. After check-in, passengers can enjoy comfortable waiting time in the lounge or food and drink from the snack bars or the restaurant. A money exchange counter and car rental desk are available and ATMs will be installed soon.

Airport controller Captain HS Toor oversaw operations, along with Regional executive director P Anil Kumar. Kumar marked the opening of the new terminal as a great development for Chandigarh and said that the airport’s next step would be to start international flights from the terminal at the soonest.