The Lost Hub: India’s Kolkata Airport

When you think of hub airports in India, the two that come to mind are New Delhi and Mumbai. However, there was once another major hub in India, which serviced flights from BOAC, Air France, ANA, Pan Am, and more. This forgotten hub was Kolkata, a city once considered the gateway to the East. So, what is the story of this lost hub?
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#Aviation #Flight #Avgeek

[@pratikpatra3734]

Being an avgeek and a resident of Kolkata this is a perfectly crafted video

[@pratikpatra3734]

@EFEZZE6280 yes absolutely well times have changed but rn Kolkata is turning out to a low cost hub for Indian LCCs going to south east asia. Due to its close proximity to SIN , BKK, KUL ,JKT and a sea shore within a few kilometres

[@nikhilgoogledeveloper]

@EFEZZE6280 Easyjet is major budget carrier in your country but what about Ryanair and Wow?

[@noumanhira]

Are u u/ppatra?

[@pratikpatra3734]

@EFEZZE6280 actually thing is that since Europe is pretty closely integrated there are many low cost airlines from different nationalities flying efficiently. What say?

[@pratikpatra3734]

@EFEZZE6280 bottomline no matter where you stay on this planet. Politics takes a huge part of your plate. But i hope the aviation industry can chalk up something innovative for the post - covid world , still withstanding the different border , agreements that different nationalities have. Btw as a kid i used to track BA B772 on flightradar. Epic times

[@allankamen9875]

I used Kolkata as a hub on IndiGo from Vietnam. I live in Ho Chi Minh City. It was very convenient. The flight from Saigon to Kolkata left well after mid-night and would arrive around 5AM, with plenty of time to make early morning connections to other cities in India. I think it was a great schedule for this journey. I purchased a 5 year multi entry visa for India as I was impressed with the country that I would consider to return often and also use airports in India as transit stops to central Asia or even to Europe or Africa with low fares. It was an alternative that could work. I hope these days of 'virus' will end soon and we can begin to travel again. I fear it may be several years before

[@Someone-ij6ob]

@Allan Kamen Just wondering, when did u purchase ur 5 year Visa? Also, I agree I hope the virus ends soon too

[@ultimatestoryteller]

You're always welcome , Allen

[@junaidanwar999]

Your wish could very well be fulfill soon as the Tatas are about to buy the ailing govt owned Air India,they have bigger plans up their sleeve.

[@baksonsinternational7407]

Indians love to welcome you Allan. Come back soon after the pandemic.

[@sarthsingh3271]

Where Kolkata and Chennai are fading Bangalore and Hyderabad are taking over them.

[@kanakasabhainatarajan7192]

The no of passengers esp. international ones don’t prove your point. Chennai still remains in top four and after the new terminal will allow more morning flights.

[@sarthsingh3271]

@@kanakasabhainatarajan7192 yup you're somewhat right but Hyderabad RGIA's expansion and growth is quite higher than Chennai

[@kanakasabhainatarajan7192]

@@sarthsingh3271 MAA is undergoing an expansion of existing airport with a huge new international terminal taking up the capacity to much higher tha Hyderabad at over 26m pax. Hyderabad lacks in international flights compared to Chennai and TN economy is huge compared to Telengana.

[@khankhoje]

Chennai is still internationally number 3. This year we were supposed to get connections to Ethiopia and France

[@jericho2224]

Kochi is also growing fast

[@tazzie165]

I'm an Aussie who lives in Kolkata. Bring back the intl flight

[@dont_talk2me]

CCU-SIN-AUS

[@mtksbctk]

Is it a shithole in Kolkata? How does the city compare with SE Asian cities?

[@tazzie165]

@@mtksbctk though not the most tech advanced like Bangalore or Mumbai. It has history. Bangalore and Mumbai aren't even Indian they're very western. Kolkata however is I'd say a proper "Indian city" it's got it'd character and history. I've lived here 4 years

[@anuragbhardwaj2900]

@@mtksbctk the newer developed parts of Kolkata are still not very savvy but they are good and traffic situation is fine enough in these areas however the old are i.e the vintage Kolkata house all it's past glory it's a big to jammed pack but it carries the legacy architecture

[@Vatsalya17]

@@tazzie165 oh dang. How are the people there ?

[@alpha_charlie_747]

Kolkata airport is an absolutely legendary airport, to be honest... Even Concorde landed here when AI was considering buying some... Really saddening to see its current state with very few international routes!

[@Springbok295]

I had a relative who was a radio-man on B-25Cs for the USAAF/IATF in 1943. He was stationed at an airfield near Calcutta called Chakulia.

[@arijitpalit2756]

That place is now in the Indian state of Jharkhand. Not exactly near Kolkata, but fair enough.

[@honestpetvideos9307]

And the airfield stopped operating after WW2

[@atrajitroy1]

I live in Asansol, near Calcutta, and there is a decommissioned airfield very close by out of which the USAAF 7th bombardment group operated B-25s, B-24s, B-17s, P-47s and P-51s. It was also one of the airfields through which fuel was transferred to China to be used by Jimmy Doolittle's B-25s, though of course they never reached China.

[@gamer-tj7do]

I AM FROM KOLKATA.NEVER THOUGHT YOU WILL BRING UP THIS TOPIC.MANY THANKS 🙏

[@debanjanhalder4190]

Ya, once my father told me when he was a kid he ones saw a concord (test flight) in Kolkata..... Those were the glorious days of Indian aviation..... 🙂🙂

[@manosijadatta6874]

Boac had got it to kolkata

[@suvayan91]

Broke all near by windows 😂😂

[@arpandrozario7959]

My mom says that too. The CM of Kolkata did a joyride on the Concorde

[@confusednsutian7100]

@@manosijadatta6874 it's BAC

[@manosijadatta6874]

@@confusednsutian7100 both are same

[@samdubs]

I was born in Kolkata. One of the best airports in India even in 2005. Making a comeback again!

[@flyingbanana4179]

Oh hi Sam XD

[@sasmalprasanjit2764]

Oh No... You don't say that.. It was Shitty since 1980 - 2005 then Renovation, Redevelopment IN 2008 made It Former Glory And Made Development

[@sasmalprasanjit2764]

The BEST Airport in India in All Facilities are DELHI, BANGALORE, HYDERABAD,JAIPUR.. But definitely Not Mumbai, Chennai or KOLKATA

[@arkabose89]

I was born in kolkata and have been using flights since 2000, and it is the shittiest and dirtiest airport in the world. Even the new washrooms of the renovated terminal which was initially well maintained for first few years are now as similar to howrah station, no body gives a damn about cleaning.

[@konkonabagchi6440]

@@arkabose89 🤣 sadly so true

[@siddasgupta679]

I grew up with Dum Dum airport CCU. My late Dad worked there. BOAC, later British Airways, QANTAS, Thai International, JAT, Aeroflot, Air India overseas flights, seen them all from there. My heart still is at VECC.

[@adsboz]

This video was a pleasant surprise. As a kid I used to find CCU a quaint airport, now I'm older I kinda miss the eccentricities of the old terminal. Anyway, I remember my grandad explaining how it used to basically be that gateway airport to the East, and how it was the major nearby international hub for folks from Nepal, Bhutan, and north east India. As newer airports were developed in those parts of India, CCU became less important and started to lose a lot of that thoroughfare and thus all the myriad options that were available for my parents generation flying out from there. Now the main international connectivity is through the Middle East airlines. The new terminal certainly helps, I don't see it ever being as bustling as DEL or BOM unless the city of Kolkata starts to become more important again (I'd reckon Bangalore has sort of replaced it in the 4 primary metros of India).

[@Sammy58328]

New Delhi is National Capital, Mumbai is commercial Capital, Bangalore and Hyderabad is IT Hub and Chennai act as Automobile hub of India. If Kolkata cannot come up with some kind of hub, days are not far when Pune, Ahmedabad will surpass Kolkata. DEL(67.3m), BOM(45.8m), BLR(32.3m) are top 3 right now in terms of passenger traffic, then we have MAA, CCU and HYD stands somewhere around 20m.

[@PulastyaG]

@@Sammy58328 Kolkata still is the cultural capital of India!

[@shrinjanpaul1998]

@@PulastyaG that's not going to help😂😂

[@devapala879]

@@PulastyaG what does that even mean? Kolkata became a cultural hub when it was a financial hub. Culture goes where the capital is

[@orkkojit]

​@@Sammy58328Chennai has even lesser number of international connections than Kolkata. You would be mad trying to compare it with the likes of Hyderabad and Bangalore 😂😂

[@regmiles1970]

In 1945/46 I landed to Calcutta many times flying Avro York passengers aircraft , but is listed in my log book as Dumdum, Smiler

[@harmaanrajmadon7010]

Yes, Dum Dum is the suburb. Like one would say Gatwick or Heathrow, but still mean London

[@swamiontube]

Good Sir... what's your age?

[@AstroBiswas]

Wow whats your age sir, would like to know more about avaiation of those days

[@2693742]

It is called Dumdum airport. The place where it's situated is Dumdum.

[@gunslingingbird74]

That's a really long time ago. My dad would've been 2 at the time. 😯

[@_itachi7904]

I used to see british airways, Lufthansa, klm, Aeroflot offices in kolkata in my childhood days. In my opinion kolkata should become an important hub as there is a huge passenger flow to europe and America who need to travel via Middle East. A direct European connection will be a profitable route for the airlines and will be a huge relief for the passengers.

[@orkkojit]

It used to be a city, now it's no more than a village. An economically bankruptcy and povert stricken ghetto can't become an international hub

[@TheFlightSurgeon]

The third most important india is now BLR, in Bangalore. Bangalore’s rising importance due to being an IT powerhouse is leading to that airport’s ridiculous growth

[@sarthsingh3271]

Exactly and after terminal 2's construction, it will be exploding in passenger traffic.

[@ritwikreddy5670]

Yeah, and Hyderabad and Pune are following

[@gamingthe81]

@@ritwikreddy5670 Pune is not. I am living just beside the airport. The reason being, it's an Airforce base more than an airport.

[@sumitmukherjee7131]

@@gamingthe81 Kashmiri Gate ISBT is 4 times bigger than Pune airport

[@GoToMan]

Hyderabad airport is ranked 7th but Kempegowda Intl is nowhere to be found.

[@mr.whatever1492]

Thanks for covering my city's airport, I'm from Kolkata. Kolkata lost it's direct flights to Europe also due to low demand for business class seats, otherwise economy class seats for direct Kolkata to London and other major cities like Frankfurt or Paris are in high demand. With the introduction of Airbus 321 XLR, there can be a direct Kolkata London-Gatwick, all economy configuration flight by Indigo, and that will prove that low cost carriers too can operate full economy long haul flights if they choose the correct route.

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for the feedback. - TB

[@BLR_travel]

The only factual comment in the comments IMHO. CCU is one of the LOWEST yielding market in India. CCU is more of a LCC hub wrt Intl traffic to EU, hardly any J/F traffic to and from CCU. Hence you dont find the likes of BA/LH/AF flying to CCU. The only airline which showed interest is Virgin Atlantic to CCU which they have planned from 2025 onwards. Now thats also at risk due to COVID. CCU needs to target those J/F class pax to get some EU carriers.. but now post COVID.. its highly unlikely.

[@shamikbera9617]

Nowadays you have to take 1 stop in the middle east like Doha or Dubai from Kolkata in order to go to Europe. I'm a 2nd generation Indian living in America and every time I travel to Kolkata, I have to take Qatar airlines to Doha first then the same airline from Doha to Kolkata.

[@onemoreover]

Spot on !

[@lorenzogarbagnati6925]

The same story of Milan Malpensa, Kolkata has IndiGo and Milan has easyJet

[@srijit22007]

Seriously. Travelled through both airports and it is dominated by these LCCs. Kolkata airport is a hub for Indigo's Eastward destinations. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kunming, Guangzhou, Hong Kong Bangkok, Singapore, Phuket, Dhaka, and what not. They had plans to start Taipei, Shenzhen, Denpasar etc just before the pandemic struck. The 321Neos from a eastern hub in India can potentially take them as far as Tokyo.

[@lorenzogarbagnati6925]

@@srijit22007 Sorry but what are LCCs?😅

[@Mercilessonion]

@@lorenzogarbagnati6925 Low Cost Carriers... Like Indigo

[@suvayan91]

@@lorenzogarbagnati6925 Low Cost Carriers

[@avijitgoswami3082]

@@srijit22007 321 neo XLR can be game changer for kolkata ...

[@mclarenwings07]

Many International airliners have reduced their flights to India. In comparison to today's airline movements in India, the amount was more in the 19's

[@lohithgowda2412]

Because there weren't many domestic airlines at that time

[@mclarenwings07]

But still the Heathrow and Dubai Intl. have more no. of airliners (both domestic & Intl.)

[@abiralvi4372]

That's a good news

[@ajayl9437]

The uncontested dominance of the ME3 in India played a large part in that too

[@sandipsen3203]

Now it's growing

[@Sammy58328]

New Delhi is National Capital, Mumbai is commercial Capital, Bangalore and Hyderabad is IT Hub and Chennai act as Automobile hub of India. If Kolkata cannot come up with some kind of hub, days are not far when Pune, Ahmedabad will surpass Kolkata.

[@ayanroy8404]

Kolkata is the cultural capital of india

[@Kai.913]

The glory of WB only heard now in history textbooks.

[@Deepakkumar-bl4ge]

Very true. It lost its complete glory due to communism and strike culture .

[@aritrochakraborty5095]

Being a bengali and a proud citizen of kolkata I don't think the communists are the main reason of the falling of my states pride. Rather I would like to thank them that they didn't use the "religion card" to encourage hatred towards the people of any other religion. And yes the history of this state is glorious and I believe irrespective of the present, the future will also be great. All we need to stick together and choose a government wisely which will actually work for the growth of the state.

[@Deepakkumar-bl4ge]

Then how come so many Rohingyas found a safe heaven in Bengal and got political protection too. Demography has also been changed now and Hindus have not been feeling secured there. Is this secularism.

[@aritrochakraborty5095]

@@Deepakkumar-bl4ge if your neighbors are in distress will you check their surname before helping them out? See constant immigration is definitely not helpful at the same time all of a sudden kicking them out of the country is not the solution. And brother yes its not secular anymore. I agree with you. Some political parties are playing this game to engage the people into fighting over religion and not protesting against the price hike of petrol UNITEDLY. Nice to have a conversation with you. Have a good day 🙂

[@kutubuddin3074]

Hi Kolkata merge with Bangladesh if you want to prosper and survibe. An open invitation from Bangladesh

[@Macedthur]

2:01 This is the first time that I realised that Cathay Pacific Also Operated B707's other than the Convair

[@indranilchakrabarty4196]

Also DC 8 s

[@prackck4201]

Uh B707 and Convair are completely different planes from completely different manufacturers

[@mrizis5520]

I love to see this (lost airport) series to keep going

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for the feedback. - TB

[@JSG003]

Simple Flying you could do Berlin and Hamburg

[@SIDDHARTHSKUMAR2020]

@@SimpleFlyingNews Do one series on Trivandrum International Airport of Kerala state too. One of the oldest aiports in India is on the verge of closure due to petty politics and ignorance. The story of Trivandrum airport is more dismal than Kolkata's.

[@gasdive]

@@SimpleFlyingNews lost airport series, Pago Pago. Used to be a major hub (particularly for Pan Am), but I doubt many people have ever heard of it.

[@joshuajoe1419]

SIDDHARTH S KUMAR really? I from that city though I now live in Boston. I didn’t know the airport is so close to shutting down.

[@srijit22007]

For someone from Kolkata and living in Denver, USA - the lack of an European carrier hurts me a lot in terms of travel time. I seriously look forward for CCU to be served to atleast one European hub: London or Frankfurt most probably. It's a pity that the airport was served to both London and Frankfurt till the 2000's - a rejuvenated growth ( given the fact that almost all major airports in India showed negative numbers for FY 2019-20 and CCU showed positive growth), gives me hope !

[@aviationandmemes1627]

i don't even think y'all have a asian airline there in atlanta we have like 10 foreign airlines

[@srijit22007]

@@aviationandmemes1627 CCU is actually serviced by a few Asian airlines. CCU has a 8-9 weekly flights to Kunming - Operated by China Eastern (737/320) , it has a daily Thai to Bangkok (777), it has daily services to Singapore by SQ (350), services to Hong Kong by Cathay Pacific's regional wing (Cathay Dragon on a 320) also the cheaper LCCs like Malindo Air, Thai Air Asia, Air Asia International and also Bhutanese airlines like Druk Air and Royal Bhutan. Obviously a major chunk of international travel at this airport is dominated by Indigo and routes to Bangladesh. There are the occasional Air India routes on their narrow bodies from this airport and the majority of travel westward from CCU is dominated by the rich middle eastern airlines - Emirates, Qatar and Etihad .

[@aviationandmemes1627]

@@srijit22007 i was talking about denver sorry

[@sougata8332]

Thanks for Making a Video on a yesteryear International Hub. This will educate many about the Importance the City had once & which has lost its glory. Love from the People of Bengal & India.

[@rushiljohal]

Kolkata actually has a nice airport. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International new terminal is modern and I heard somewhere that Air India may start a nonstop flight between JFK and CCU.

[@ryanmilano19]

No major trade and Hub in West Bengal. No industry, lowwww startups. All the government is doing is politics. Nothing will happen to Kolkata if the people and govt doesn't change..-- A Calcuttan staying abroad.

[@theprovocateur24]

Don't vote for the commies either

[@thebengali04]

@@theprovocateur24 are you from west bengal?

[@vkray]

Even BJP can’t save Kolkata lol. Kolkata is a dying city. My friends are closing their business and settle into Gujarat, Hyderabad and other cities.

[@ryanmilano19]

@@vkray oh as because Bjp is not there. Thats why its still alive. I mean breathing. Otherwise we a would have been dead because of Dumbass Modi

[@vkray]

utsab sarkhel Lol.

[@robo1p]

0:26 lmao we still have those _same_ trams today

[@robo1p]

@@mtw227 about 12 people, by the looks of it

[@WHATSAHANDLEIDKIDK]

robo1p 13 people cares. (That was me)

[@ziauddinkhan5699]

I rode in those trams in the late 1970s when I visited Kolkata. Fond memories.

[@fudgerace4356]

Damn

[@abhishekpawar5126]

British era trams in Mumbai were closed decades ago, why did Kolkata keep them?

[@stonew1927]

When I spent time in Calcutta back in 1990 I took every mode of transportation from rickshaws to taxis, buses and trains, but never planes.

[@mig882001]

The downfall of Kolkata Airport can be attributed to many reasons - The 1960s and 1970s, severe power shortages, strife in labour relations (including strikes by workers and lockouts by employers) and a militant Marxist-Maoist movement who sometimes used violence and property destruction as tactics of protest - the Naxalites - damaged much of the city's infrastructure, leading to economic stagnation. (Ironically, this is the same city that has historically been a strong base of Indian communism:shift of business center away from the region to Delhi Bangalore . I would not agree that the long range aircraft's such as 747 was the demise .For a long time in 70's 80s Aerofolt of SOVIET from Moscow had a stop to Vietnam .British Airways due to a large expat population maintained flights to London, Biman Thai Singapore Airline KLM SAS were the other airline offered flights off and on .Until now still lags # 6 with 21 M passengers behind Delhi Mumbai Bangalore Cennai

[@YashKansalx]

communists

[@avisheksinha7070]

Most appropriate comment. I am a Bengali from Kolkata and I can't agree to you more. Communists destroyed the youth, industries and markets to such an extent that it is beyond repair now. Although, communists lost the state elections a few years back after their reign of terror for decades, the new government is not much different than the communists. The people of the state are now no more capable of leading the state to glory. The youth are leaving the state and shifting to Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Noida etc. Regarding the airport, it's a big airport since they upgraded and renovated the previous one but its pretty empty. While Mumbai & New Delhi airports are facing difficulty in managing traffic, Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport is having empty runways with very few international route options. Only thing is it is having domestic flight options better than any other airport in the region. There are 2 other airports in the state, Ondal and Bagdogra, they are also starving, especially Ondal.

[@Valkyri3Z]

Naxalites never attacked any airport. LOL

[@bhutochakrabarti4173]

@@avisheksinha7070 As a 16 yr old bengali living in delhi , I got to say politics has made west Bengal a state full of parody . Because of leaders like basu or mamta we get mocked.

[@gauravdey4163]

@@bhutochakrabarti4173 what about chodi ji

[@SS-mp3]

Kolkata enjoy a strategic location in India.... It will soon attract most of the airliners

[@nskaren9723]

I Think No because after Delhi and Mumbai airlines are now focusing to expand their operations in India to Banglore

[@RaghunandanReddyC]

Bangalore will be the second hub in India for most airlines until Navi Mumbai airports begins operation. CMIT is over saturated.

[@arnvpanda8042]

After jewar and Navi Mumbai International Airport become operational I don't think Kolkata will have much international traffic.

[@indiancomputerkatchi5534]

Chennai has the next highest traffic in terms of international flights from the gulf and south asia. But traffic to chennai is declining due to direct connections to tiruchirappalli , madurai and coimbatore airports

[@zakrimo651]

kolkata will be

[@avijitgoswami3082]

Kolkata is geographical center of eastern and north eastern India .. 400 million live in this area ... Kolkata have huge scope ... Even bangalore have competitor like chennai ... Kolkata don't have competitor

[@shawnz241]

There isn't a reason for CCU to be a major hub again. Specially in light of airlines preferring point to point travel vs the hub and spoke model. It can be a regional gateway as that part of India expands, but never back to what it once was.

[@aadigupte4407]

shawn dpenha I agree with you

[@Theoriginalsaxocomedy]

No, I disagree with you. If you look that part of india I mean east india, Kolkata still has the time to regain it's glory. Because future growth is coming from there. But, if the present political scenario keep going on in Bengal state, forget any development.

[@shawnz241]

@@Theoriginalsaxocomedy I respectfully disagree. It would take a massive econo-political shift to make Calcutta a global avaition hub and the industry has shown positive movement away from the hub and spoke model. You are right that regional interests can be served from there to the North-east and even Nepal, Bangladesh and Burma, but it would be hard argument to get a SNG / HKG / KUL bound flight from Europe to stop in CCU again.

[@vivekrajup9701]

Well anything to do with Kolkata is gone, be it economy, infrastructure, work culture .... sad all that remained over the past few decades is politics.

[@avijitgoswami3082]

Politics destroyed kolkata .. now they are destroying intellectuals of Delhi ....

[@AnuravFam]

Politics remains in evry part of the world. Take time to talk to some foreigners staying in USA , ENGLAND , ITALY FRANCE. You can see it in evry bit . If you open your eyes. Kolkata is the 3rd largest GDP holder of India and you are telling there is no new infrastructures businesses ? ?

[@SantanuSaikiaChannel]

well said. The excessive bureaucracy and rudderless politics in kolkata has to be blamed. Every Indian city has problems and they should be acknowledged and rectified but the attitude of the general populace in Kolkata seems more insular to growth and development. I keep visiting the city often and it makes me sad that a ruined and rotten infra in desperate need of repair is hailed as something to be proud of by the locals. Kolkata is a disgrace in its current form, and it needs to change.

[@debanjansarkar6660]

What about tourism

[@YashKansalx]

I think if bjp comes it will change with pro business approach

[@mamatabhattacharjee1568]

Kolkata will always be a trade and business hub. Kolkata have the ability to again become a hub for aviation industry

[@shuvodeepash3467]

And who's gonna help in doing that? Your namesake?

[@YashKansalx]

bbjp needs to come

[@advaityachandhoke1406]

@@shuvodeepash3467 Definitely not TMC and CPI. BJP needs to be given a chance in the state. A State-Center partnership might do the trick for WB and Kolkata.

[@souravmukherjee1705]

@@advaityachandhoke1406 BJP is useless party

[@dk8651]

@@souravmukherjee1705 mamta to kolkata barbad kar di mulli h

[@Vicstarz26]

Kolkata will bounce back. Been hearing a lot of buzz about their airport.

[@97priyam]

Not until Bengal gets a decent government, which does something for economy.

[@cxaviation3313]

I've been there its pretty awesome

[@shibajimajumder7742]

Where and what buzz have u seen!!

[@farhantanvirliton]

Two hubs in the same region sounds like impractical in case you are considering international airliners other than Indian companies.

[@arijit020]

Priyam Arora No thanks ... Kolkata is better off without the Bania Raj ...we have enough from UP and Bihar..we want to regain our culture and language.

[@sunnybird18]

Kolkata airport is not only the fastest growing airport in India but also among the fastest growing airport in the world. The city is evolving faster than ever and thus eventually losing its charm under the mindless development. Yet, city of Joy never lost its smile. Welcome to kolkata.

[@jonathanlovejoy1984]

Calcutta now is a large regional airport with flights around India plus routes to Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma Thailand, Singapore, the Persian Gulf and possibly Japan and South Korea........it cannot be expected to grow beyond it's present size unless and until either Industry grows within the region or if the north east frontier area develops as an international tourist destination.

[@subhosmito]

Thank you for your video. The topic has garnered over 1000 comments and more than 2 lakh views. Congratulations! It shows the interest that people still take in Kolkata airport and of course not to mention your video style. However you haven't covered all the reasons. As an insider I am pointing to some of the major ones: 1. In our federal structure, the government in West Bengal, of whose capital is Kolkata (CCU) has always hosted a opposition party to that present in the Centre at New Delhi. Irrespective of the central ruling party, everyone had a policy of dislike towards CCU. The airport received little planning and was slowly ousted from the international and domestic arena. This was done in conjunction with other logistical and industrial policies as well. 2. Business people, who are not original inhabitants of Kolkata, but make a hefty profit from this region have always projected a negative image of Kolkata to ward off competitors. 3. A section of foreigners who migrated to Kolkata and made it their home, in the garb of religion or otherwise, depicted Kolkata as a city of beggars, lepers, and ridden with dirty streets and uneducated people. This was just to get foreign aid to meet their policies and expectations. This, is quite opposite to what Kolkata is! 4. Local and federal policies failed to attract tourists and businesses although the state has enormous natural beauty; from the plains of Ganges to the sea shore of the Bay of Bengal in the south and the Himalayas to the North. 5. A general hatred towards communism has also contributed to this effect. It is reflected in many of the comments below. In its failing years the labour laws designed to protect the working class and gone unchecked and boomeranged. But if it did not stop something as despicable as the Railways from operating why was CCU station left in lurch? 6. Hasn't strikes and acts of violence been absent from all cities in India and abroad where there are only capitalists? Have flight operations reduced to zero there? Today CCU has been deserted by the national carrier Air India (which itself is in doldrums). It is served mainly by a very poorly so called low cost carrier with the meanest and rude staff at the helm of affairs. On the international sector, some gulf airlines and South East Asian airlines serve the port. Believe me, they run to the full capacity. There are many passengers who transit to the Americas, Europe, Australia, China, Japan, and other South Eastern countries on them. What prevents other carriers from coming in? The policies, lack of political will, the negative image projected, and a general dislike for this part of this country. If proper policies are put in place, Kolkata becomes investor friendly, it will turn to another big hub; naturally! (Hopefully after the pandemic is over) Kolkata is the city of joy and a cultural hub. Its people educated and many personalities are well known world wide. It has a burgeoning middle class and students who go or can afford to go abroad. If policies are designed for neglect, little can be done!

[@andyistphdhpc2726]

LOL you put almost the entire blame on outsiders the when in reality the state governments of West Bengal elected by the local people of Bengal have been the true reason behind the decline of Kolkata. The airline companies don't care about "communism" 😂. They only care about making a profit

[@ashishpraveendhas1100]

Kolkata used to be the capital of India during British rule before changing to delhi. During 1960 communism ideology was spreading in kolkata. With strong communism strong labour law introduced which adversely affected industries. Wealthy people shifted their companies to delhi, Mumbai, Chennai. With less demand for flights to Europe the flights were cancelled.

[@Justgirlmustache]

I'm British but my family is from Kolkata I've always wondered what happened to the flights that were direct from London

[@aviationwithjeff]

I love seeing aviation history and its evolution. Thanks for making this. I didn't know anything about Kolkata.

[@virtualaviator21156]

kolkata is not a very big aiport but it has a loong runway which is wide also.....lots and lots of big jets can land..... nice vid...i have travelled to kolkata many times and nowadays no airlines other than air india vistara spicejet and indigo come there

[@devapala879]

Singapore, Thai, and the Gulf airlines still serve Kolkata

[@adityabikramarandhara9477]

Kolkata will surely become a hub for international flights 👍✌

[@souravpal9546]

Not possible under Momota

[@abbaszakir1551]

So glad that you created a special video for Kollata airport; CCU. I really hope that it reclaims its lost glory soon. Love from Kolkata @simpleflying 😊

[@PulastyaG]

Kolkata can become a hub again! It already is pretty much the gateway to Eastern India being the largest airport by far from the region. Many of those travelling from these East Indian regions would find it far more convenient to travel from CCU rather than the saturated Delhi or Mumbai. Plus business in the region is growing! Properly handled, CCU can become a great hub once again!

[@projectkilo8370]

The debris of N798PA Boeing 707 operated by Pan Am (Clipper Caribbean) still lies about 1000m short of the runway 01L in Kolkata. Really hope that the Kolkata airport can regain it's prominence and make advantage of it's location.

[@aritrabag5418]

I'm from Kolkata and I guess it will back it's glorious days in future.

[@DMVPlanespotter]

Kolkata is gaining but it won’t be able to reach Chennai’s level or Bengaluru’s level

[@RaghunandanReddyC]

Pretty hard.

[@vandanadaschakraborty7595]

I am also

[@aritrabag5418]

@@DMVPlanespotter If AAI(Airport Authority of India) take some initiatives then it can happen.

[@aritrabag5418]

@@vandanadaschakraborty7595 ohh good

[@vandanadaschakraborty7595]

Yea this airport is very Historical. Thanks for making this video

[@rpnrko3612]

Everything is related. In 50-60's Kolkata was a very big city. Was the capital of British India for 200 years. One of most prominent one's in India. Now after the digital boom in 80's and 90's, cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad have taken over it. Thousands leave Kolkata in search of jobs to Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai. Unless there's an environment for investment and jobs in the city, things are going to remain the same. - From a Kolkatan living in Bangalore

[@tonyh5132]

Seems like this happened to Anchorage as well

[@pushing2throttles]

Had its time in the sun. Glory days for Calcutta are over.

[@stevenroshni1228]

Any city the size of Kolkata has the potential to have long haul international flights, especially as it grows in economic importance and if ground transportation to nearby cities is done right. If it becomes a transfer hub again depends on how nice the airport is for passengers.

[@nikeboy69er]

Philippine Airlines just recently launched mission flights to/from India due to the pandemic situation, and their marketing didn't fall short in emphasizing the importance of India as a market, even specifically stating that they used to fly to Kolkata in routes to Europe back in the day.

[@debabratabose5140]

Certainly Kolkata has the potential to attract international carriers like BA etc being the gateway to Eastern India and easy connectivity to neighbouring countries like Bangladesh Myanmar and South East Asia but a lot depends on how the Central and State Governments promote the Airport

[@peteregan3862]

Yes. Plenty of customers - hundreds of millions. Many probably from Bangladesh as well.

[@farhantanvirliton]

Please read my comment where I detailed the fact between Kolkata and Dhaka, Bangladesh.

[@affanmahbub1194]

Yeah a recent survey from anandabazar Patrkika (kolkatas leading news paper) said that 70% of all shoppers in the Calcutta new market were Bangladeshi and 80% of all tourists in kolkata are from Bangladesh 😂

[@mihirseth2284]

Kolkata is being redeveloped as a different kind of hub. it's close proximity to literally every south-east Asian nation and North Asian nation puts it in the short-to-medium range route bracket (unlike Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore) making the space lucrative for low-cost airlines wanting to fly over international routes. also, it's the only major international airport in a closed to 900 kilometre radius. all Eastern region airports and cities normally funnel passengers into Kolkata, who then travel either abroad, or to other cities

[@ratulmaitra6538]

Thank you for making this video. Not many people are aware of this topic. While at the same time this breaks my heart watching this as a Calcuttan, I truly believe we can resurface as a major airhub again.

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

We are glad you enjoyed it! -JS

[@rajasmr156]

"political conditions"- what happened? communism happened.

[@sagarbhadva1118]

@@gandiaulaad1155 ya communism is bad but won't say that same for advocacy of gender rights

[@Sammy58328]

New Delhi is National Capital, Mumbai is commercial Capital, Bangalore and Hyderabad is IT Hub and Chennai act as Automobile hub of India. If Kolkata cannot come up with some kind of hub, days are not far when Pune, Ahmedabad will surpass Kolkata.

[@mazumdar1000]

Black King Well it was the Banking capital until communism started in 70s. Alot of India’s infrastructure was built using reserves stored in banks of Kolkata.

[@ankanmaiti9864]

@@gandiaulaad1155 Kolkata was what today Mumbai is in the 70s. Birla group(then competed with Tata) with all its subsidaries were headquartered here. ITC still has the registered office here.

[@pickle9974]

@@ankanmaiti9864 kolkata was the financial hub along with mumbai and after independence west bengal was on top(at least top 3) but then communism happened and everything's gone...now they can't compete with states like maharashtra gujarat and karnataka...the funny thing is people have gone blind

[@Mmaulin12]

At least British Airways and Lufthansa should come back, for Bengalis living in North America

[@manosijadatta6874]

Currently boac is operating with their newest fleet of A350 between banglore and heathrow airport

[@Mmaulin12]

Manosija Datta Bengaluru and Kolkata are not the same place. I mean I want to see Lufthansa and British Airways operating from Kolkata once more.

[@immanuel2818]

@@Mmaulin12 same thing here in Kerala people are preferring Middle east carriers like Emirates, Etihad ,Qatar airways etc

[@viic011sohamdas3]

@@Mmaulin12 Do you know that British airways has came back they are giving non stop service from kolkata to Heathrow

[@rahulkale9]

My first international flight was on TG from CCU to BKK in 1989! I remember seeing check in counters for Tarom, Balkan and a host of other Eastern Bloc airlines....wonderful memories

[@soumyadeeplovestoexplore6631]

Honestly, this airport is situated around 2.5 km from my home and sad to hear it was a gateway to the east as well as major hub for many western countries during the world wars and country's independence but nowadays hardly 3-4 airlines operates from here internationally.

[@Sayan_Debbarma]

Kolkata, CITY OF JOY. Do visit here once, Sir. Thank You.

[@Mmaulin12]

We have the best sweets in all of India 🤤 (I want my gurer rosogolla, ekkhuni chai 🤣)

[@aadigupte4407]

Nope XD😂

[@aadigupte4407]

I mean i do like the roshogolla

[@soumyadipbiswas6835]

It's just Joy on words, there's nothing to feel joyous about Kolkata.

[@thesagarmahapatra]

@@Mmaulin12 Roshogolla is Odiya

[@antaripbiswas3783]

The downfall of Kolkata Airport can be attributed to many reasons - 1. Political scenario in Kolkata from 1980s till early 2000s was dismal. Communism forced Kolkata to seclude itself from the rest of the world. 2. The lack of business development, poor employment scene and lack of well paying jobs has left Kolkata poorer. This has caused many Kolkatans to travel within India, limiting visits abroad. 3. Even though Kolkata is closer to Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia than Delhi or Mumbai, the city has not seen much foreign investments from industries, manufacturing firms and even Service industries. This has resulted in a decrease of Business Visits between Kolkata and other cities. 4. Over the years, cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad have replaced Kolkata as the next business hub outside of Mumbai and Delhi. Kolkata can surely improve connectivity with the East (China, Japan, South Korea, Vietnam etc etc), but before that the city must open itself to investments and businesses from these parts. Presently the major foreign airlines that operate out of Kolkata on a regular basis are - Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, Biman Bangladesh, China Eastern Airlines, Srilankan Airlines, Air Asia, Cathay Dragon etc etc...

[@adsboz]

Absolutely agreed on your points, though the new terminal is a step in the right direction, I think it's telling of the reduced ambition of the city which at least based on what folks from my grandparents generation used to say was basically right up there with Delhi and Bombay in its importance on the national scene. Now I'm afraid it's a legacy metro.

[@antaripbiswas3783]

@@adsboz yes! what you said is correct. With emergence of new cities with younger talent pool and more modern infrastructure and industry...The value of Kolkata has faded in the economic picture. Yes Kolkata still has an edge if you consider culture, thinking etc... But unfortunately for most Kolkatans and the city itself... culture does not sell....

[@projectkilo8370]

Absolutely true.

[@adsboz]

@@antaripbiswas3783 You're right, the issue is that for some reason or the other, Kolkata and the state as a whole are being hobbled by bad governance. We had decades of CPM rule that arguably eroded all the advantages that existed post Independence and now it's becoming the arena for a new turf war between the BJP and TMC. Honestly I'd love for the city to rekindle lost glory or at the very least that sense of competence, not just coast on a back catalogue of accomplishment

[@aditya6019]

You have highlighted some very important points. Great explanation. Loved reading it!

[@soumadip_skyy_banerjee]

Awesome! I live 5 mins away from the Kolkata airport! 💕

[@Arjunvedantam]

Kolkata might not become a hub like its former self, but rather become a tourist destination for its Rich cultural heritage!

[@Kryptictails]

Very good video Keep it up! and 8th comment

[@Kryptictails]

@@mtw227 you max

[@raviv3398]

Kolkata is the only major city of India which seems to go in backward directions in almost all fronts...

[@rjc09]

sadly true.

[@pritiagarwal5599]

Really I have lived nearly 7 months in both Kolkata and Mumbai And i can say that kolkata infra is going down but their ego is going up

[@ayushda]

Hehe.. I second that

[@biseshtechplay]

Kolkata still represent its authentic indo-british culture thats why it seems old...

[@pritiagarwal5599]

@@biseshtechplay there is a difference between authentic and old Kolkata needs new infrastructure Just walking on footpaths displays the difference

[@neilmitra1698]

This is an amazing video and kind of hit the points home. I am an aviation enthusiast as my father is ex Air Force and ex civil aviation and retired as the radio control officer in Kolkata. Growing up I remember many times having the opportunity to view jets land and take off from the viewing gallery. My first international flight in 2003 I remember when klm Air France BA and Lufthansa would fly non stop to Europe and forward to North America with many other international airlines. Unfortunately the city lost its significance in aviation down the road and the European airlines left however it is important to see the increased importance given by Emirates and Qatar and etihad. So the travel volumes are there however the aviation industry has also shifted to long haul and hubs like Dubai and Doha. But I believe the trend is changing and with a380 s being decommissioned and single aisle planes coming back we might find our significance back in the aviation map it would. I like many others settled in North America Canada Europe would love to fly back home. To Kolkata via Europe than the Middle East. I remain optimistic that Kolkata has the potential and is trying is best to Attract foreign investment and business that will push the airlines to notice the significance in volume. But it will take time as the last 20 years of retarded state politics has milked the state dry and we have fallen behind. However no one can disagree that Kolkata has the potential to be the south East Asian hub once it was previously !!

[@avijitgoswami3082]

Great ... If I was youtuber. .... Kolkata airport hub will be my first video .. Sorry for english ... Great video ... People don't know geographical importance of kolkata

[@adithikamathm4570]

If didi (Mamata Banerjee) doesn't play her dirty politics, Kolkata will surely regain its popularity.

[@arnvpanda8042]

After jewar and Navi Mumbai International Airport become operational, I don't think Kolkata will have much international traffic.

[@prerakshah8336]

Why would anyone go to kolkata if he wants to go to Mumbai😅 that person can take a flight to Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Surat or Bangalore which r near to Mumbai compared to kolkata

[@prerakshah8336]

@Google Google Mumbai and navi Mumbai r diff cities

[@arnvpanda8042]

@@prerakshah8336 yes but just 5 km apart.

[@arnvpanda8042]

@Google Google under construction. A small river needed to be diverted which is done and the leveling work has completed, it will take another 2~3 years to become operational. Be safe bro..

[@arnvpanda8042]

@Google Google Don't worry bro government is planning a lots of new airport. You should see the design of the new terminal of Bengaluru International Airport, it's mind blogging.

[@floraexoticsfloraexotics]

Very informative and spot on . Thanks for sharing. My family has been into Exporting via Kolkata ( we are from the Darjeeling Himalayas) for almost a century. My grandfather used to speak of Lufthansa, KLM , Air Franc etc that used to fly into Kolkata. The last one I used to Export and fly frequently was British Airways , but sadly stopped flying about 10 to 15 years ago. It's a sad story but we hope Kolkata airport regains its glory in the coming years.

[@mohamedmahathir1518]

Chennai Airport Formerly Known as Madras Airport has also played a major role in WW2 and also this airport is losing its reputation due to Private Airports such as Bengaluru and Mumbai...Please AAI need to focus on Chennai Airport. I hope SIMPLYFLYING will make a video over this. Thank you

[@arun3151997]

Can you do a video on kochi airport?

[@rmaviationtravel]

I love Kochi airport

[@sudipadhikari3592]

This is due to lack of industry and business in kolkata, west bengal.Present state government is totally opposite in industrialisation. No big industry, no big manufacturing unit is here. Another thing is that bengalis are too much intellectual people, they are not business oriented people, so very less number of startups are begining in this city.Another reason is that Mumbai,bangalore , hyderabad etc cities are growing too fast in business, so people are coming from around the world in these cities.Almost all indian companies like Infosys,wipro,byjus,zomato or other startups either coming from Bangalore,Mumbai, Hyderabad like cities, Kolkata has lost its glory.

[@syafiqrizuan5588]

Agree indeed. Unlike Kolkata, Hyderabad now has a Google and Microsoft office headquarters in India (HiTec city of India) and Bangalore is nicknamed as silicon valley of India. Chennai also as a medical cities of India. In conclusion, Kolkata is stagnant in terms of development due to the lacking of industrialization, business needs and tourism facilities.

[@adityajain8535]

Kolkata was m0st important city of India, due to its geographical location. It is very close to east Asia and China. Kolkata can become the greatest city in India if it gets good governance

[@charishraju]

The new Hyderabad airport that commenced operations in 2008 is now undergoing a massive expansion again....with this expansion this airport would give a serious competition to other airport s..already Delhi NCR and Mumbai are going for second airports

[@shan2fly993]

Even Bengaluru is undertaking a massive expansion. I guess after the expansion, both BLR and HYD can give some serious competition to other airports. BTW I love Hyderabad's "State Bird" design of the expanded terminal (aerial view of terminal) and Bengaluru's "Terminal in a Garden" concept.

[@indranilchakrabarty4196]

Great vlog !!! Not ANA but JAL used to fly to CCU. Also BOAC.BA may return for legacy reasons. Karachi, Tehran, Beiruit, Cairo, Athens all former hubs. Lufthansa and Air France came for a few years and then left.

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for the feedback. - TB

[@LawrenceSingha]

Yes i think it will and politics also play huge part of this airport too. Still good airport after it upgrades and their also plan for making the airport bigger.

[@synonyms6826]

There is no hope with current ruling party of WB....no industry no development

[@melonlord2283]

I'm a company secretary and in one year of my training almost 10 companies shifted their registered offices from Kolkata to New Delhi.

[@Vlogstafy]

This was so exciting to watch! Please make more of these about Indian airports!

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for the feedback. - TB

[@avrajit19]

Yes,Kolkata can regain its importance, once it is privatized...AAI cant attract international giants, which large corporates easily can...see what they did with Hyderabad Airport, see what corporates did with Bangalore Airport..

[@dhrubomitra1201]

Unless there is a huge and steep surge in Industrial and Economic activities in this part of India, chances seems glim in near future !

[@kanankumardas8702]

True,eastern part of india is the backward region...

[@ajitjoglekar9792]

wow a indivisual country video !!! make me feel proud........... thank you simple flying

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for the feedback! - JS

[@etrip9134]

Can't believe it was such a huge hub earlier. Now it's a depressing insignificant shell of its former self. Much like the city it's located in.

[@debashisborkakoti5800]

Kolkata is still a prominent hub connecting with Thailand Vietnam China Singapore etc

[@adityajain8535]

It deserves more

[@navneilbakshi6817]

Westbengal has become an elaborated old age house how can even one expect to have any sort of business

[@debanjansarkar6660]

Apart from business, it has much to offer, like tourism

[@PARTHASARATHISAMANTARAY]

@@debanjansarkar6660 even if we don't want to agree, newer cities gets much more tourist than old places. N.Y. and LA gets more tourists than any UNESCO site. The base has to innovate and modernise (sustainably) , others wise its just talk. I enjoyed my 2 years stay around saltlake, Kolkata , but when I lived in other cities of India and outside India, now could see the difference.

[@rjc09]

@@debanjansarkar6660 a lot of cobwebs have settled on Kol. Even though it may attract tourism today but not a huge chunk. The city is LAGGING BEHIND. You won't realise it until you step outside bengal!

[@ankanmaiti9864]

@@PARTHASARATHISAMANTARAY What you're calling as tourism is nothing but a s**t in the outside world.

[@sumitmukherjee7131]

So full of prejudice. Go and google which state has the highest number of MSMEs? Which city has 3rd largest number of multimillionaires? From the Britannia biscuit you eat, the too yum Chips to the ITC body wash you use everything is made by companies based in Kolkata. $150 Bn GDP doesn't happen without any business. Stop spreading misinformation.

[@mys_air_rail_spotter_20062]

Simple Flying, a very nice information. Also, please make a documentary like this on upcoming aviation hubs like Bengaluru (BLR), Hyderabad (HYD).

[@AdamSmith-ig5bu]

Thank u fro remembering us.

[@SimpleFlyingNews]

Thanks for the feedback. - TB

[@AdamSmith-ig5bu]

@@SimpleFlyingNews u r welcome.

[@mubashshirdeshmukh5754]

"Kolkata is a dying elephant."

[@ayushgoel1032]

Dead!

[@cs-mi8ur]

More like a old tortoise

[@sayandeeppoddar7324]

@@cs-mi8ur yeah this tortoise once feeded all ur fathers and mothers

[@adityashaw3198]

@@sayandeeppoddar7324 this name calling attitude isn't going to make a good impression anyways

[@ToThoseWhoVanished]

Elephant?? Rat is appropriate

[@saubhikbhattacharjee6023]

34yrs of communist rule destroyed everything..last CM wanted to do something but people thrown him in wrong time.

[@sayantanbhattacharyya]

Hi there I am from Kolkata . Loved to see this video

[@AryanSingh-cp6dv]

Thanks for this vid about India!

[@sandesh19840]

Not until the state govt takes efforts to attract new business

[@aparnadasgupta5422]

Politics destroyed west Bengal.

[@NoName-eq9md]

Left Wing Politics. Blame Communists and fake “Seculars”.

[@lingesh2773]

Damn kolkata and Chennai. Are fading away.. They deserve more...

[@amicoz]

Kolkata must regain its position in international aviation map!

[@adarshsrivastava1941]

No it can't regain it's popularity because of Momta Bonarjee.

[@chance2526]

Systematic destruction of Kolkata airport is due to left political parties that did huge damage to the economy of West Bengal.

[@SamirKumarSingh-bz6ml]

The pioneer of modern Indian cities-Kolkata 👍

[@gajanandgupta130]

Kolkata will surely become a major hub in the east.

[@ritabratagoswami7724]

Not east but south east asia and australia like it was before 70's.