No Wi‑Fi at Kolkata Airport for 7 Months — For the past seven months, travellers at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (NSCBIA) have found themselves in a digital void: public Wi‑Fi, once freely available in terminals and lounges, has been down since December 2024. The result? Passengers face disrupted itinerary planning, inability to book ride-sharing services, and forgotten boarding passes—all while officials continue to promise restoration. Until then, flyers are left “stranded in a digital dead‑zone.”
When Connectivity Vanished
- The airport’s public-facing Wi‑Fi network was withdrawn in early December 2024, reportedly due to renewal and security issues.
- Temporary warnings citing “uptime issues” were posted online by the Airports Authority of India (AAI), but no clear timeline for a fix has been shared since.
- AIA reminded passengers that cellular data could be used in the meantime, yet travellers complain that mobile reception is weak or unpredictable within the terminals.
No Wi‑Fi at Kolkata Airport for 7 Months: Passenger Frustrations
The Real-World Impact
- A returning student from the UK struggled to book an Uber after landing late at night.
- Business travellers faced panic when unable to retrieve emailed boarding passes or get real-time flight updates.
- Visitors reported missing digital lounge coupons and hotel transfers after losing internet access.
Emotional Fallout
- Sleepless delays and panic at night-time
- Anxiety inducing reboarding difficulty for families
- Frustration at lack of transparency and clear updates from airport management
Expanding Impact on Travelers
1. Ride-Booking Challenges
As app-based services have replaced traditional cabs, the inability to log in or ping for a ride leaves many waiting—or resorting to expensive prepaid options.
2. Boarding Passes & Gate Info
Airlines increasingly enforce web or app-based check-in only. With no Wi‑Fi, retrieving passes or tracking terminal changes becomes risky.
3. Information Access
Flight delays, gate reassignment, baggage queries, and lounge coupons—all managed digitally—become inaccessible without connectivity.
Why Wi‑Fi Still Offline
- Renewal Delays: AAI must rebid the concessionaire license for public Wi‑Fi, a process complicated by recent organisational changes at the authority.
- Security Concerns: Authorities are reportedly reviewing authentication protocols to prevent misuse, particularly for public network vulnerabilities.
- Technical Upgrades: The airport is evaluating a shift from local ISPs to national-grade connections that support faster, tiered bandwidth.
For now, notices at terminals simply read:
“Wi‑Fi unavailable until further notice. Please use mobile data.”
Wider Context: Airport Connectivity Norms
Indian Precedents
Most major airports—including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru—provide either free or nominal‑charge public Wi‑Fi, often with speed limits and data caps.
Chennai Airport, similar in size and volume, reinstated its public network last December after a two‑month outage.
International Standards
- Singapore’s Changi Airport offers free Wi‑Fi with regional treat zones
- Incheon, Seoul functions as a tech hub with charging stations and co‑working bays
- Heathrow and Dubai offer top-tier airport Wi‑Fi as part of digital airport services
These trends set benchmarks AAI aims to match, but operational lags put Kolkata behind in passenger amenities.
Impacts on Airport Operations
1. Passenger Satisfaction
On review platforms, connectivity issues are flagged as top passenger irritants, impacting NSCBIA’s quality ranking.
2. Revenue Loss
Apps for lounge access, travel vouchers, airport transfers, and VAT refund claims are hit—lost engagements equal revenue losses for partners.
3. Scalability for Digital Integration
Upgrades like DigiYatra gates, biometric check-in, and real-time usher systems rely on continuous network connectivity.
Restoration Efforts & Timeline
Since January 2025, AAI has been working on:
- Proposing fresh tender notices for Wi‑Fi concession
- Auditing security configurations on access points
- Finalising procurement agreements with telecom providers
Sources at the airport estimate 2–3 more months before full public service returns. Interim options under discussion include:
- Pay‑per‑hour network access vouchers for prepaid lounges
- Limited guest access via mobile carrier-sponsored portals
- Strengthened airline-specific login portals for passengers
Stakeholder Voices
- AAI Spokesperson: “Restoration is our top priority. Regulatory and security checks must be completed before reactivation.”
- Freelancing Passenger: “I lost two hours of work time and waited — clearly not okay with international travel standards.”
- Business Traveller: “I couldn’t access my boarding QR. I had to request staff to print a duplicate.”
Related Infrastructure Moves
Curiously, AAI is advancing other digital initiatives such as:
- DigiYatra e-gates for biometric boarding
- Terminal 3 mobile app kiosks for flight/staff queries
- Digital wayfinders and interactive maps
This highlights an infrastructure imbalance where high-end digital installs reach finalisation while basic Wi‑Fi lags.
The Stakes for Kolkata Airport
| Stakeholder | Needs | Current Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| Flyers | Flight info, ride-booking, work time | Dependent on weak mobile data or no access |
| Airlines | Mobile check-in, digital coupon loading | Relying on customer device connectivity |
| AAI | Public satisfaction, service reputation | Risk of negative perception and comparison loss |
| Digital Partners | Airport lounge, travel tech services | Suspend local app functionality |
Fast Wi-Fi Recovery: Key Considerations
- Activate interim paid access via voucher systems
- Prioritize terminal hotspots near lounges, gates, and international zones
- Publish clear service restoration timelines and communicate through display boards
- Use carrier partnerships to provide auto-login ‘free 15-min session’ for valid SIM holders
External References
- AAI-level service norms: Airports Authority of India
- International airport Wi‑Fi standards: Global Airport Awards
- DigiYatra & airport digital upgrades: Ministry of Civil Aviation Digital Air India
- Passenger rights and digital access: Ministry of Consumer Affairs
Final Take
In a world where connectivity is critical—not indulgent—airport Wi‑Fi ceasing for months is more than an inconvenience—it hampers safety, operations, and global competitiveness. For a city as culturally and commercially significant as Kolkata, restoring Wi‑Fi is not optional. With aware passengers, eager staff, and pressure from global benchmarks, the airport now faces a clear test: backfill this digital vacuum — fast.
Also read: Home | Channel 6 Network – Latest News, Breaking Updates: Politics, Business, Tech & More
