Will HAL airport close for commerical flights?

Will HAL airport close for commerical flights?
Vijay Times


Will the curtains fall on commercial flight operations at the HAL airport when the International airport at Devanahalli starts operation in April 2008? This is the question which is dogging private air carriers, aviation experts and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

As per the concession agreement between the government and the promoters of the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), no new or existing airport will be permitted to operate as a domestic or international airport within 150 kilometres of Devanahalli.

However, senior officials at the Airport Authority of India (AAI) told Vijay Times that the present airport at HAL could continue flight operations if airline operators and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce pressurise the government to re-examine the decision to close the airport.

Several private airline operators and the Chamber of Industry and Commerce have already conveyed to the government in this regard to broker a deal with BIAL to allow domestic commercial operations at the HAL airport.

Air Deccan, Chairman and Managing Director, Captain G R Gopinath said he had already spoken to the government on the issue stating that the present airport should not be completely closed down and instead be allowed to carry on operations in the regional routes.

Similarly, another low cost carrier, King Fisher Airlines, too is of the opinion that closure of the airport would affect the regional connectivity, which at present is witnessing a boom.

Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) is also willing to speak to the government and is said to have indicated to BIAL that a second airport is necessary for a city like Bangalore. "There is nothing wrong with Bangalore having two airports. The present airport should continue operations at all costs. Who would want to travel for one hour to reach the airport and then to hop on a flight to Belgaum or Coimbatore whose flight duration is only 40 minutes?" BCIC president, Venkat Kedlaya commented.

While aviation experts and private carriers are debating over the issue, the HAL and IAFs Aircraft and Systems Training Establishment (ASTE) are keen to use the airport for testing and research activities which is at present hampered due to the increasing civil flight operations at the airport.