Calcutta Airport Lacks Duty-Free Stores and Forex Counter

The Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Calcutta has been without duty-free stores since July 1 and without a foreign exchange counter for about a year.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) did not allow the previous duty-free operator, Flemingo, to continue during the handover to the new operator, Nuance Group.

This has left international passengers without access to duty-free shopping and foreign exchange services.

Flemingo had requested extensions and interim facilities, but AAI rejected these proposals.

The forex counter closure is due to reduced flight operations and financial losses faced by the operating agency.

Passengers have complained about the inconvenience, especially during the peak travel season of Durga Puja.