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What's the immigration set-up like in DEL? Turnaround possible?

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What's the immigration set-up like in DEL? Turnaround possible?

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Old Mar 2, 2005, 5:34 am
  #1  
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What's the immigration set-up like in DEL? Turnaround possible?

Calling all India experts.
Would it be feasible to turn around and return on the same AZ plane that 'll be taking me to Delhi??
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 6:44 am
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Originally Posted by graraps
Calling all India experts.
Would it be feasible to turn around and return on the same AZ plane that 'll be taking me to Delhi??
What is the turn around time? DO you have checked baggage?
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 7:34 am
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Originally Posted by Yaatri
What is the turn around time? DO you have checked baggage?
4.5 hours (guess that says a lot about AZ's financial problems)!!! And of course I won't be carrying any checked baggage.
Do I have to have an Indian visa for this kind of transit? Are there transfer desks where I could check in for the return flt?
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 9:03 am
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You will need Indian Visas for transit

regards,
Ken
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 9:13 am
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Originally Posted by graraps
4.5 hours (guess that says a lot about AZ's financial problems)!!! And of course I won't be carrying any checked baggage.
Do I have to have an Indian visa for this kind of transit? Are there transfer desks where I could check in for the return flt?
I have never transited trhough DEL as it has always been my destination. Time wise, you should be OK, unless you have some dutiable items. As far as visa is concerned, I think you will have to have a visa. I have always got a tourist visa. If you plan on making more than a couple of runs to India, a multiple entry visa for 5 years ( I got a 10 year visa) would be the cheapest per trip.
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 9:39 am
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I cannot be helpful in enlightening anyone here on international-to-international transfers at DEL, but most (if not all) carriers cannot issue a boarding pass airside without having someone (airline or government employee) go to the pre-security/check-in side to get it.

I am sure some here will be informing the rest of us more fully about how international-to-international transfers at DEL work (or don't work well).

PS. The lounges at DEL don't have showers.
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 10:41 am
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I wouldn't even try to intl transfer, there doesn't seem to be any obvious way to do it and as the other poster says - you will still need a transit visa and to have your ticxkets issued in the pre-security departures area. Just go to immigration exit the terminal, make your way through the bewildering crowds to get upstairs and enter the departures area and check in. 4.5 hours is enough time for this and none of the lounges are worth spending time in so you're not missing much.

Make sure you have a paper copy of your return ticket handy as you will need this to present to the guard to access the departures area.

There is enough time but it could be tight as arrival and departure immigration waits are often 1 hour (longer on arrival). Hopefully you can check in at Business on Alitalia.
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 12:39 pm
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Originally Posted by aussieinsf
There is enough time but it could be tight as arrival and departure immigration waits are often 1 hour (longer on arrival). Hopefully you can check in at Business on Alitalia.
Would you know whether biz class/elite pax get any preferential treatment@immigration?
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 1:10 pm
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Depends

Originally Posted by graraps
Would you know whether biz class/elite pax get any preferential treatment@immigration?
Hi,

I have traveled business class a couple of times on KLM to Delhi. I didn't experience any preferential treatment. The advantage is that you probably get to be one of the first to get off the aircraft. However, if there are other flights that have landed ahead of yours, you may still find a queue. In terms of checking-in, you may get preferential treatment. On one occasion, one of KLM's reps escorted me to the front of the immigration line.

Thanks,

Sandeep
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 2:26 pm
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Originally Posted by graraps
Would you know whether biz class/elite pax get any preferential treatment@immigration?
No.... (except that if you are the first to dash from your flight to the immigration desks, then you will get through a little faster. )
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 10:49 pm
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Post 9/11 I was booked HKG-DEL-LHR on UA when they cancelled the route. I had to fly HKG-BKK-DEL-FRA-LHR instead.
LH met me at the plane and escorted me to the transit area without having to immigrate. They opened one of the doors to another jetbridge, signed a sheet, filled in my details and then took me to the lounge.
Now that is a couple of years ago, but it worked well for me.
I have a 12-14 hour turn round in August but will immigrate, go to the hotel and then come back the next day.
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Old Mar 2, 2005, 11:29 pm
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Originally Posted by Markie
Post 9/11 I was booked HKG-DEL-LHR on UA when they cancelled the route. I had to fly HKG-BKK-DEL-FRA-LHR instead.
LH met me at the plane and escorted me to the transit area without having to immigrate. They opened one of the doors to another jetbridge, signed a sheet, filled in my details and then took me to the lounge.
Now that is a couple of years ago, but it worked well for me.
A few days ago I saw a similar thing occurring at DEL being coordinated by what may have been KLM airline staff in coordination with another airline. I don't know if it was a routine airside transfer, but it may well have been.

As far as I have witnessed personally, not much has visibly changed in terms of travelling via or into/out of DEL since 9/11; so if there were similar arrangements made (or conditions existing) per the way it was done before, then the rules are likely no less flexible today than in the months before or immediately after 9/11.
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Old Mar 3, 2005, 11:14 am
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FYI - you can get a transit visa - which I believe is free but has to be requested from your local Indian embassy
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Old Mar 4, 2005, 12:11 am
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Getting a Visa to India is typically a painful process, don't expect them to be quick about it at all - don't do it the day before as I once tried.

Doing the transit is possible (as Markie noted it was a few years ago). I came in on CX and left again on the same plane only 2+ hours later (Milage Run on DONE3). They just escorted me to the transit area. It is a bit of a risky proposition however since the airline might not allow you to get on the plane in the first place without proper documentation.

There is no priority line for premium passengers as of Nov last year. Then transit area is very unpleasant - probably one of the worst for any major city.
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Old Mar 4, 2005, 1:42 am
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Getting a visa in the US for US or EU nationals takes no more than 48-hours if done in person.
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