The Hindu : New Delhi News : GMR-Fraport gives international exposure to AAI team

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jul 10, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

GMR-Fraport gives international exposure to AAI team

Mandira Nayar

Takes eight senior managers to visit two world-class airports in Asia Takes eight senior managers to visit two world-class airports in Asia

NEW DELHI: It might take some time before the Delhi airport becomes truly world-class, but the GMR-Fraport Consortia has wasted no time in giving its team international exposure.

A small step that will go a long way in broadening the horizons of the Airports Authority of India employees, an eight-member team was taken on visit to two world-class airports in Asia -- Kuala Lumpur International Airport and Singapore Changi International Airport last week.

"The idea was to give them global exposure. This is one of the few trips we have planned and was for people above the rank of manager. We intend to take many more employees to international airports so that they can see how other airports are managed. Since some of them have only had experience in the airports in India, this will go a long way in seeing how successful airports are run," said a senior official.

While they might have spent years ensuring that millions took to the skies, but for some of these AAI employees, it was their first foreign trip.

A chance really to see how other countries in the world manage their passengers, the trip was not only about exposing them to a world-class airports, but also sharing insights about other functional details.

The team were given a tour to understand what it takes to run a successful and busy airport.

On the cards were basic things like housekeeping to other more complicated, but vital aspects of management of an airport.

Basic tips

From the baggage handling process to technology used for immigration, the DIAL team were on a tour of the whole airport system.

Apart from getting a feel of the operational side of the airport, the team was also given lessons on the commercial aspects of airports.

With the GMR-Fraport Consortia planning to develop hotels and recreational facilities around the Delhi airport in time for the Commonwealth Games in 2010, employees were given tips on property development, advertising strategy and retail duty free strategy.

Apart from giving AAI employees international exposure so that they can understand the changes that need to be made at Delhi airport, the GMR-Fraport Consortia is also furiously working to make changes on the ground.

"The Terminal I B will have new flooring soon. We want to change the façade and also the false ceiling. The toilets are also being revamped. There are plans to build an integrated terminal for both domestic and international flights, but that is all later. At the moment, we want to be to make things easier with the existing infrastructure we have," said an official.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

New Delhi