D-D transit in India: General process?
 

Will have multiple domestic connection coming up in a few weeks through different airports, such as DEL, BOM, CCU etc.

What is the general transit process when it comes to domestic flights? Is it set up like in the US where departing/arriving passengers are not segregated, meaning you disembark into the departure area avoiding another security check?

For instance at CCU I am looking at a 1 hour connection on separate tickets, but with no bags. Is that enough time?

Are all airports set up in such a way you have to go through security again? Are some airports better at domestic transit than others?


Appreciate all kind of information!

I have never done a domestic transfer. But a 1-hour transfer on separate tickets is crazy talk even at the world's best organized airport or on the world's best airline (neither of which exist in India). Are you aware that flights don't always reach the gate on schedule? Even 2 or 3 hours is just asking for trouble.

In India, you have to go through security again for domestic transfers.. Exception - If you are on a single ticket and the transfer time left is less than 40 mins, then in some cases airline arranges for aircraft door to aircraft door transfers (i've had this in DEL with 9W for SXR-DEL-BLR flight on multiple occasions)

Few things to note:
- Larger airports (DEL/BOM/BLR) have multiple terminals physically separated which may involve a land side bus/taxi ride - additional time to be kept for same if different tickets
- Most larger airports (DEL/BOM/BLR) have a small transfer security area before baggage claim if your flight is leaving same terminal that lets you avoid joining general crowd security..

DEL/BOM/BLR have transit security which can also get very busy due to limited checkpoints, not entirely sure about CCU. 1 hour on separate tickets is difficult unless your inbound flight is bang on time.

There is a way to transit in CCU. You have to go down to baggage claim and find that one elevator that will take you up to departure security. This is guarded by a CISF jawan who will check things over and over trying to match you with one of her/his lists. You are better off going out normally and queing with the regular lines.

Domestic transit requires rescreening for now. The authorities are working on a domestic transit concept in the major hubs to find a way to eliminate this though.

All domestic transits in India require you to go through security again & I would not recommend a 1 hour transit on separate tickets in CCU.

I sixth what everyone else has said so far.

1 hour connection on separate tickets anywhere in the world is crazy. It's a bigger challenge in India because you have to hope for on time arrivals & no waiting in the plane for gate availability & speedy exit from inbound plane (and no bus gates) & no long queues for security checks for outbound (you have to go through security again always even if you go through the transit/connections area).

Pray to your gods that your second flight is suitably delayed! :)

To add to what everyone said, if you are arriving on Indigo bus gate is almost a given.

one thing that could help you bigtime is buy preferred seating as forward as possible, will save atleast 10-15 mins

I've done a D-D transfer in Srinagar(Leh-Srinagar-Mumbai) last year with 1 hour time. - separate tickets/airline. I had hand luggage only and security check in Srinagar was busy and detailed as expected. I still managed to get ~10 minutes in the (very sad) lounge there. It was not possible to get the connecting flight BP in Leh. it was stressful but I took the risk as flight tickets from IXL-BOM were close to 40K last summer and this came up to 12k

Thank for the replies.

Based on the information given I have adjusted some of my itineraries.

Also noted that many flights are chronically delayed, and many times by several hours, especially true for Spicejet and Go First, what is going on?

Furthermore, I have some flights with same flights numbers on both sectors with a really short connection, around 30min. I take it these are through flights and I will stay onboard during the stopover?

Smart move.

SG & G8 are facing huge financial problems. As a spiraling result of which (plans grounded/repossessed, crew shortage etc.) they're facing massive scheduling issues. Hence the several hours/days delays. Avoid them as much as you can - especially if your trip is many months away and/or to minor airports.

Yes.