Bengaluru airport in take-off mode

Bengaluru airport in take-off mode

‘All new systems tested for effective operations’

Gearing up

Outbound international passengers are being charged a user development fee of Rs 1,070 each

Bangalore Metro Transport Corporation is plying a fleet of A/C Volvo buses on nine routes in the city

BIAL released the maps with routes



A view of Bengaluru International Airport, Devanahalli.

Our Bureau

Bangalore, May 20 The new Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli is ready to start operations on May 23, the operator company, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), has said.

“We are ready,” said Mr Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL. “All new systems and personnel have been installed and tested for effective operations. These also include ATC (air traffic control to be handled by the Airports Authority of India), CISF (for security), immigration, police and Customs.”

On the intervening midnight of May 22 / 23, the air traffic of Bangalore will shift from the existing HAL airport in the city’s East to the Bengaluru International Airport, some 40 km north.
Development fee

Outbound international passengers are being charged a user development fee of Rs 1,070 each, to be paid separately at counters until July 1.

The elevated trumpet interchange takes passengers from Bangalore straight from NH7 into the airport terminal building. The looped interchange was taken up by BIAL and built in record time by one of its partners, L&T ECC.

If you saw a bus painted with a flying aircraft, you could hop in for a ride all the way to Devanahalli. Bangalore Metro Transport Corporation is plying a fleet of air-conditioned Volvo buses on nine routes from 26 points in the city. The buses ply every 15 minutes and cost between Rs 80 (from the closer Hebbal) to Rs 200 (from the farther Electronics City.) BIAL released the maps with routes and the approximate time taken from various points.

In addition, 100 non-AC buses will ply during the peak hours of the morning and evening. These rides will cost Rs 20-90 depending on the distance travelled.

At the airport, the automated parking facility can accommodate 2,000 cars. A 10-minute free drop-off facility, long-term, overnight parking, short-term parking, two wheelers, general parking and taxis, valet parking, tour operators’ buses and premium pick-ups and ranging from Rs 40 to Rs 300 and upwards. Twelve slots are for the differently abled.
LOCAL FLAVOUR

The pro-Kannada outfit, Karnataka Rakshana Vedike, has planned a protest at the airport on the opening day saying the airport operator has neglected locals in its recruitments, commercial contracts and even taxi operations.

As if in response to such clamour, BIAL claims that 53 per cent of its total 473 employees are Kannadigas; 40 per cent or 74 of its 185 managers are also locals.

According to BIAL, since February-end, around 2,000 resumes from locals have been received and 574 of them are by candidates claiming to have lost land when the land was acquired by KIADB. 210 of them have been recruited at the airport.

The operator also ensured that its various concessionaires also hired Kannadiga talent by forwarding the applications it received to the concessionaires. Kannadigas form “80 per cent of the total 2,750 recruitments made by the concessionaires,” the release said.

“BIAL has made substantial efforts to make sure that it is reflective of the local culture and heritage. During recruitments, where qualifications and expertise are equal, preference has been shown to Kannadigas,” Mr Brunner said.

“In future the increase in capacity will lead to more recruitment by both BIAL and the concessionaires. BIAL will make sure that preference is given to the Kannadigas as far as possible.”

Its floral logo reflects the garden city label of Bangalore. BIAL also offers Kannada language courses to non-Kannadiga employees, the company said.