New Bengaluru airport wait gets longer

New Bengaluru airport wait gets longer
Financial Chronicle





BANGALORE’S wait for an international airport in Devanahalli continues.

According to sources in the Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL), the airport is not opening for commercial operations on May 11.

“This is the second time that there has been a delay in the airport opening. We have not yet received any confirmation from the civil aviation ministry for the May 11 launch,” a BIAL official said.

Last month, the airport launch scheduled for March 30 was deferred as DGCA had expressed concerns over several safety related issues at BIAL.

Sources said the training of Air Traffic Control officials will not be completed by May 11 which will further delay the launch.

DGCA officials are in the city to inspect the international airport.

Another factor delaying the launch is the state elec tions starting from May 10.

The new launch date is expected to be announced only after the central government, Airports Authority of India and the government of Karnataka meet on April 29 in New Delhi to re-negotiate.

The Karnataka High Court has directed re-negotiation with regard to the closure of the existing HAL airport once the new airport in Devanahalli becomes operational in May.