Should HAL airport be retained as Bangalore’s second airport?

Should HAL airport be retained as Bangalore’s second airport?

‘Let us not forget the old’ But readers feel connectivity between HAL and Devanahalli airports needs to be in place
Use it as a domestic airport
Yes. HAL airport must be retained and used for all domestic operations. It is ridiculous to travel to Devanahalli airport for a 30-minute flight to Chennai and an hour’s flight to Hyderabad. It does not happen anywhere in the world. In any case, Bangalore needs two airports, having developed into a megapolis. I R S KRISHNAN
Yes. The HAL airport has to be retained, at least for domestic services. It will save a lot of time and money for travellers. Reaching the new airport in hectic traffic will force us to start 4-5 hours in advance to catch the flight. I BIJU ABRAHAM
Yes. Looking at the worsening traffic situation, the HAL airport should still be functional for domestic carriers even after the international airport at Devanahalli becomes functional. Also, looking at the time it would take to reach the airport, one would definitely opt for train travel instead of wasting money and time in frustrating traffic jams. I XYZ
Yes. I support the second airport in Bangalore. HAL is so convenient and comfortable for domestic airlines since it is in the centre of the city. Travelling around 1.5 hours or 35 km to Devanahalli is absolute rubbish. Moreover, the roads and other infrastructure are horrible and they are still in the planning stage. I RAJESH RAJAGOPALAN
Yes. HAL airport should not be discontinued but instead used for domestic flights. I VIRAT
Yes. Retain HAL airport as the second airport which will serve domestic passengers. Otherwise, passengers would need to commute a long distance through crowded roads to reach the international airport to catch a flight which could be merely an hour’s journey to another city. I TAPAS
Yes. We receive relatives from Mumbai and Pune who arrive at night. HAL airport would be more convenient to pick them up instead of at Devanahalli. I JANARDHAN RAO, HANUMANTH RAO, MOHAN, SHASTRI, ANJANEYULU
Yes. A lot of people would be inconvenienced otherwise travelling all the way up to Devanahalli when the HAL airport is more easily accessible. So the HAL airport should be retained for domestic flights. This would save time, energy, fuel and money. I T VIJAYKUMAR
Yes. HAL airport is close to the Central Business District. All offices are situated in and around the area. It makes no sense to go all the way to Devanahalli. Especially if it’s a late-night flight, getting home would be easier from the HAL airport. I JOE PULICKEL
Use it for defence purposes
No. It should be handed over to the defence sector I ABC
No. HAL, which is in the defence sector doesn’t have the runway to conduct tests on the LCA and other projects due to increased commercial jet traffic. This would thus have an indirect effect on national security. Also, in a country like India, having domestic and international airports more than 40 km apart is not feasible and Bangalore will lose its edge to Hyderabad as a transit point for international flights. If an international carrier flies to Bangalore and the passenger wants to fly to other cities in India by domestic airliner they would have to travel all the way to the HAL airport, so they would prefer Hyderabad which would have both terminals integrated. Also, the domestic airlines are being short-sighted and looking at short-term gains, but this would be a doom for the future. Anywhere you go in the world, domestic and international terminals are integrated which gives more flexibility to the airlines and also the passengers. Imagine the cost involved in maintaining two airports. I NAVEEN V
No. HAL airport should be used for defence purposes. If connectivity to the new airport is a problem, then that has to be tackled. Then, there would be no problem.
I VISHWAS VIDYARANYA
No. Since BIAL has already signed an MOU with the government of India not to allow any civil airport within a radius of 150 km from Devanahalli, the only way out for government of Karnataka is to initiate action to hand over present HAL airport to the defence. Later on, the private operators could take permission from the defence
sector to operate flights on nonschedule permits as is done at present at many defence airports.
I RAGHUNATHAN
Retain it for low-cost airlines
Yes. The HAL airport should be retained and used for low-cost airlines. It is ridiculous to travel to Devanahalli airport when one is travelling on a low-cost airline. The apprehensions of the airlines are true and it will impact them.
I SK
Yes. It should be retained for lowcost airlines. Overseas travellers can always use full fare carriers, as they alone have tie-ups with international carriers. I AW X
High-speed connectivity is
Yes. As Indian Railways is ploring the possibilities of running trains at the speed of 300/350km per hour (like Japanese Bullet Train), between major cities, we should keep HAL airport for domestic flights, along with Devanahalli airport. Otherwise, passengers would opt to travel by train instead of flying. I K KUPPUSWAMY
Yes. HAL must remain as a domestic airport and a dedicated Metro link should run from HAL to International Airport. chandu Of course, HAL airport should be retained. All major cities of the world have multiple airports. I M B NATARAJ
Yes. HAL airport should be retained as a domestic airport, provided fast and efficient connectivity can be arranged between the two airports. I N V SHANKAR
No. It is leading to traffic and road congestion. Separate road and rail corridors are being planned for the Devanahalli airport. I KESHAVAN NAMBIAR
Yes. The new airport is way too far from the city. Those wanting to fly to nearby destinations like Chennai might as well take the train. I H SHANKARNARAYANAN
Yes. It will save time and avoid traffic jams. As of now, there is no road corridor connecting the city to the international airport. If the BIAL doesn’t agree to the second airport, the government should scrap the agreement. If the state and central government don’t act, then people should make it an election issue and throw out the government in the next elections. I S MASOOD HUSSAIN
Yes. It should retained as a domestic airport for it is within the city and is more convenient. But if the Metro rail connectivity planned for the new airport is coming soon, then it’s okay. I NIRMALA DAMODARAN.
Don’t forget the old
Yes. The very idea of abandoning the existing facility, just because we will be getting a bigger and better facility, is utter foolishness. The people who got the 150 kms radius clause introduced are a good example of people with no hindsight. It is really pathetic that these so-called wise men cannot think 20 or 30 years ahead. Let us keep intact what we have. Improving infrastructure does not mean throwing away old things. Let us improve the HAL facility and continue to use it.I G S RAO
Yes. It’s an old airport and has served the people of Banglore for so many years. The HAL airport should be retained. I RUPA SRINIVASAN Yes. We should not forget the old.
I A KRISHNAN
No. HAL should be retained but not as a second airport but rather as the first airport. Most people live within the city. It would take them a lot of time to go to Devanahalli, especially those in areas like Marathahalli, Whitefield, etc. Also, everyone is already used to the HAL airport. I MANORATH KULLAR
We need two airports
Yes. Bangalore is on the international map. It needs two airports.
I M N KESARI
Yes. Bangalore should have two airports like other cities in the world (London, New York, etc.) to make life comfortable for Bangaloreans who are tired of the traffic situation here. I MANEESH
Yes. Otherwise, the new airport will become like the Majestic or Kalasipalayam bus-stand.
I VIMALA KESARI
YES : 90% NO: 10%