The Hindu Business Line : Delightful landing

With growing number of people taking to the skies, channelling through airports manned by over-zealous security personnel can be an intimidating experience. Approximately 1.5 lakh Indian passengers arrived and departed through Sydney Airport during the financial year 2006-07, which is an increase of more than 85 per cent in the last five years.

Queuing for a restroom at Frankfurt International or finding one’s way through the maze at Heathrow or manoeuvring the myriad gates at American airports, the comparatively small Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport comes as a pleasant surprise. Of course, don’t mind the quarantine queues and dogs sniffing your feet and bags for that home-made packet of paranthas or sweets! It is Sydney and not London, there is a long list of “don’t bring ins”.

However, the hotel lobby style ambience, spotlessly clean areas, efficient services and surprisingly pleasant and friendly staff will make your arrival a welcoming experience.

View from the top

As the aircraft descends on the spectacular Sydney skyline, turning from the Pacific Ocean on the Harbour before touching the runway, one is treated to spectacular vistas at dawn and dusk — glimpses of the iconic Harbour Bridge and Jorn Utzon’s modern wonder, The Opera House, on the clear blue waters are breathtaking. A stark contrast to the deafening quietude of the arrival lounge, the cheerful departure lounge is abuzz with great views of the planes landing and taking off.

Being an origin and destination airport only, it doesn’t have the transit trappings of Changi International Airport in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur International airport in Malaysia or Heathrow in the UK and Frankfurt airport in Germany.

Most passengers spend a maximum of few hours for transfers to flights to New Zealand, the Pacific Island nations or domestic flights. It is one of the few airports with shower rooms at arrival and departure terminals to refresh after a long journey. If the din of the aircraft has been exhausting, there is also a prayer room which provides peace and solace.

The airport also offers some of the best fusion cuisine and seafood in more than two dozen cafes, restaurants and bars. However for vegetarians, the choice is limited. An Australia Post shop provides postal, banking, courier and photocopy service; and an airport medical centre and pharmacy.

For those spending more than four hours at the airport, one can leave the baggage at the storeroom and take the 15-minute train ride to the city centre and indulge in the many attractions of this Harbour city.

Train ride to the city doesn’t come cheap at A$14 for a single ticket and A$21.20 for return. For a family, a taxi-cab is a better deal. Unlike many other airports, Sydney airport shuts down from 12 a.m. to 4 a.m.

During this period, a designated area can be used for sleeping. After the last flight takes off after 10 p.m., one can stretch in peace with only the occasional cleaner to disturb you.

For those departing, Australian international airports offer a Tourist Refund Scheme for reclaiming taxes paid on your shopping in Australia.

But rely on the wheels of your suitcase as luggage trolleys cost a rather steep A$4!

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