Airport watch - Agatti (Out of the world)

Agatti, 459 km from Cochin, is the only island in the Lakshadweep Islands with an airport having direct flights from Cochin.

Whatever you have read on the net does not prepare you for the out of the world experience. At the Cochin airport, when I saw the flight attendent take 2 packets of milk in his hand luggage, that made me very wary and suspicious! Why would anyone want to take MILK to his home town (the guy belonged to Agatti)?

The aircraft is small, one where you walk up 7 steps a ladder into the aircraft holding on to the side support tightly. Inside, you gape at the seating - its two persons a row seperated by the centre aisle and the craft isn't even full. There's no door for the pilot's cabin. If you're sitting on the front row, you can extend your hand and swipe the pilot's sandwich. The girls giggle and whisper snide hijack jokes.

After flying for about 40min. on turquoise blue sea, suddenly you see a slipper shaped island. Its Agatti. The aircraft comes down on probably the shortest runway in the world.
When you come out of the aircraft, the first thing that you notice that this is the most unusual airport. Look left - its the east coast, look right - its the west coast. Look straight - its the end. The next thing you notice- your cell phone has no signal.
The runway is just 1min walk from the 'arrival lounge'. Lounge is a figurative word - its actually a thatched hut with 2 rooms - one is the arrival lounge and the other is the departure lounge.
It takes just 5 min for you to complete the formalities - you can actually see the guy carry your luggage in.
Walk out of the door, look around and you realize you've stepped into paradise.
My Rating for the Agatti Airport: 9.5/10 (Only because I NEVER give 10. Location, location is the key.)

Airport watch - Hyderabad (Love it)

Built at a cost of Rs 2,478 crore, the new swanky airport at Shamsabad, Hyderabad is impressive. Probably since its built from scratch. The first impression you get as you enter is its breadth-taking impressive modern glass and steel facade. The next thing that stikes you is the cleanliness. You see with disbelief the yellow clad staff polishing everything in sight even in the middle of the night.

Why, this could be Doha or even Dubai! Its as modern as any international airport in the world. The ground staff is very courteous and are only too keen to do their jobs, which is an unnerving but pleasant departure from the staff of the Delhi airport. The moment you land, one of them tries to give you a trolley or a ride on one of the electric trolleys if you have a a toddler and even if you don't.

Your baggage is ready even before you land up at the conveyor belt. It has the best baggage disposal method I've seen. The baggage comes from a underground conveyor system, and then is pushed out from the centre to land on the moving belt - no human hands involved.

The shops in the aiport are not yet fully occupied, but those that are are useful and manned by friendly, courteous staff. Dabur has a large Wellness shop selling all utility items in the basement selling .

The road leading to the airport is not yet fully complete. Be careful of crazy wrong lane bike driving guys trying to criss cross the highway. A 12 Km flyover is being constructed to overcome the traffic congestion. The 5 km road around the airport is asthetically landscaped.

Everything is great, except the distance - which is 40 Kms from the city. You need at least 45min to reach the airport if there is no traffic and 1.5 hrs if travelling in peak time.

Rating for Hyderabad Airport: 9/10 (That too because of the distance from the city)