As the gateway to the islands of Andaman and Nicobar, Veer Savarkar International Airport, in Port Blair, India, is a prime tourist hub. In anticipation of a revival in the tourism trade, the airport’s operators have commenced work on construction of a new terminal building to increase capacity.
With total area of 40,837m2 , the terminal will be capable of handling 1,200 passengers per hour and around five million passengers annually. The terminal building comprises three levels: the ground floor will be used as remote arrival, departure and service area; the upper ground floor will have entry gates for departures and an exit gate for arrival passengers; and the first floor will function as a waiting lounge for international passengers.
The building will be equipped with modern facilities including 28 check-in counters, three passenger boarding bridges, and five conveyor belts with in-line scan systems. Additionally, the city side area of the airport will also be developed to increase parking and public transportation capacity.
The airport operators say the architectural design is inspired by its ocean setting, resembling a shell set in the sea. The striking structure has two, 120m unsupported spans, creating an uninterrupted internal space for the arrivals and departure halls, with the exterior clad in cable net glazing.
According to the operators, more than 65% of construction work is already complete, with the terminal scheduled to open in mid-2021.