Private airlines still prefer HAL Airport

Private airlines still prefer HAL Airport
Their Contention: Devanahalli Too Far Off For Regional Flights
The Times of India

Bangalore: Some leading private airline operators have called upon the state and central governments to re-examine the decision to close the HAL Airport to commercial traffic once the Devanahalli airport becomes functional. They contend that not only many global cities have more than one airport, certain flights are best operated out of a facility closer to the city.
Capt. G R Gopinath, Air Deccan MD, has confirmed that he is in talks with the government. “I met the chief secretary a few days ago, and he indicated he’s open to the idea,” Gopinath said.
One of the hurdles to keeping HAL Airport open is the commitment given to Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL) that no other international airport would be approved within a radius of 150 km of the new airport. One way being suggested to get around this issue is for the HAL to spin off its airport as a separate company and get BIAL to partner it in the project.
“Bangalore is a global city, and all global cities have multiple airports. London has five,’’ Gopinath said, arguing it leads to competition among airports and, therefore, better services to customers. He also said that for customers flying short regional routes (like Bangalore to Hubli or Mysore), huge airports like Devanahalli would pose enormous inconvenience on account of the time taken to get to it, the long queues, and stricter security. “It’ll impede regional connectivity, and so we need another airport that is closer to the city and which will have lower airport charges.’’
The suggestion is that HAL Airport could initially be one for regional flights, and later grow to accommodate more varied flights. HAL, in the meantime, is getting many proposals for the airport. One of them is to allow either Airbus and Boeing to put up an MRO (maintenance, repair and overhauling) facility. The IAF, too, is demanding more space to park its aircraft.
“They are keen to park their helicopters there,’’ says aviation consultant Praveen Paul. NAL, on the other hand, wants to test its Saras aircraft at the HAL Airport. Expanding the cargo complex is another proposal.