Ironically, it was the Kolkata chapter of the AAEU that had said it had nothing against the airport’s modernisation by foreign firms. “The only rider being that modernisation should be done under the Airports Authority of India (AAI).”

On Wednesday morning, there was utter chaos at the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Airport. Friends and relatives of passengers couldn't enter the visitors’ area as the counter selling entry tickets was shut.

For German tourist Alexa Kumlehn, the situation was difficult. “I can’t carry both my young daughter and the luggage. The trolleys are scattered all over. I can't use the toilet either, there is no running water.”

For leading exporter and Indian Chamber of Commerce vice-president Sanjay Budhia, the nightmare began early in the morning.

Budhia had gone to the international airport with his wife to receive their daughter flying in from the UK.

“The flight was to arrive at 1.15 am, but was delayed. I could enter the airport as I had the necessary pass, but my wife had to wait outside. When the flight finally landed, there were no trolleys. Airlines are advising us to travel light, but luggage is unavoidable when travelling for extended periods. No one in the business community would support this bandh,” he said.

At the domestic terminal, passengers could be seen dragging their suitcases. “The toilets are flooded with water, but taps are dry. It was a terrible experience,” said IT executive Sanjay Krishnan, who flew in from New Delhi.

AAI officers, however, said flight schedules were not affected. “The airlines are using their own staff for handling luggage and making announcements. All AAI officers are working, but without support staff. There are 30 Air Force personnel to handle the airport’s fire service. The Air Traffic Controllers’ Guild is not part of this strike, so there's no trouble on that front,” an official said.