Airport in tune with the times

Airport in tune with the times

The redesign will be reworked into the present project and BIAL will make sure that the airport opening date of April 2008 does not change
Vijay Times

Bangalore: In the second and concluding part of the Devanahalli Airport project series, Vijay Times caught up with Albert Brunner , CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Brunner spoke on a range of issues, including how the BIAL is working on redesigning the Rs 1,411-crore project due to higherthan-expected passenger traffic.

On Civil A viation Minister Praful P atel s demand for redesigning the terminal.

BIAL will aim at building a passenger-friendly , well-operated and financially sound airport. The outlook of an airport is less important and is a subjective issue. The Minister has expressed certain personal reservations towards the outlook which we will try to take into consideration. But again, it is more important to have a wellfunctioning airport.

On Patel s comments that the terminal building plan was not modern and futuristic.

The present architectural outlook was chosen deliberately in order to reflect the local architecture and use local materials. The Minister has expressed his personal opinion. Cost and time-frame permitting, we will definitely try and accommodate his ideas on the look of the airport.

On the need to rework on the project since it was designed in 2001.

In view of the new traffic figures, BIAL is now working on a redesign of the project. However , the redesign will be reworked into the present project and BIAL will make sure that the airport opening date of April 2008 does not change.

On the future passenger traffic growth.

A study in June 2005 estimated traffic flows for the new Bangalore International Airport in April 2008 at 6.7 million passengers. Subsequently , this figure is expected to climb to 8.5 million passengers for 2010. An initial study conducted in 2002 had predicted a passenger traffic figure of 8.4 million only in 2020.

On the progress made so far in the project.

Major civil works in progress at the site include earthworks for the runway and taxiway and boundary wall construction. Excavation for the terminal building has begun. The foundation for the technical building has also been laid.