One by one, passengers turn to new airport

One by one, passengers turn to new airport
Convenience Is The Word For Most Commuters, Not Emotional Bond With HAL
R Krishnakumar | TNN

Bangalore: As the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) takes wing in Devanahalli, it’ll be a quiet touchdown for one of the city’s long-standing landmarks — the HAL airport.
Untouched by the protests that continue over the airport’s scheduled closure, many passengers are moving on to the idea of flying in and out of a new airport. This, when uncertainties over connectivity to BIA still persist.
People say it will take some time for passengers to get familiar with the new airport. On its last day, business goes on as usual at the HAL airport, with passengers knowing well that they are ready for the shift. “Since talk on the new airport has been on for years, we were prepared for the move. But the real preparation will have to be in travelling the distance. Now, I’ll have to start early for the flight,” says Jitendra, a frequent-flier businessman.
The furore over lack of proper connectivity to BIA has readied some passengers for the long drive. Some think the distance of an airport from their area is not a constant factor and that it cannot please everybody. “I stay in HSR Layout and it takes around 45 minutes to the HAL airport. For me, the new airport will mean a huge change in travel schedules. But perhaps someone who stays in Yelahanka wouldn’t mind,” says Shridhar, a doctor.
He says the debate over the two airports has gone beyond passengers’ reach and all he can do now is to wait for the official word and move on. “It’s about getting used to a new travelling pattern,” says Dipika, a homemaker, who visits her parents in Delhi at least once in two months.
In the last six years, the HAL airport has been hit by issues like flight delays and traffic congestion. The bustling airport road has, over the years, also become synonymous with road rage and rushhour chaos. “I’ve been using the HAL airport for around six years. It has some issues that have remained unchecked. I don’t have any emotional attachment with the airport because it’s all about convenience and what your experiences have been. I don’t mind the distance to Devanahalli as long as there’s hassle-free connectivity and quality services at the airport,” says Dipika.
Future of HAL?
The future course for the HAL airport, which started commercial operations in the 1960s, has been on the discussion table much ahead of BIA’s launch. While the proposal for a “maintenance, repair and overhaul” facility continues to hit the headlines, HAL has also indicated that the airport might be solely used as a centre for R&D of defence aircraft.