IAF, BIAL clash over runway

IAF, BIAL clash over runway
BY R. JAYAPRAKASH
BENGALURU








Article Rank










[Click To Enlarge]



The Bengaluru International Airport, which is pushing for a second runway which will be Airbus A-380 compliant, is counting on the Ramanathan Committee report to get the defence ministry to agree.

The Ramanathan Committee, set up by the ministry of civil of aviation (MoCA) to look into issues dogging the BIA, has suggested a second runway and integration of air traffic control of flights operating from BIA, the nearby Yelahanka Air Force Station and the Jakkur aerodrome.

According to sources in the government, the proposal for a second runway was part of the master plan to develop the BIA. It ran into rough weather after the Indian Air Force objected to it. “The second runway was proposed to the south of the existing runway. When the BIAL submitted its plans, the IAF objected to it stating that BIA was just 1.4 nautical miles (4 km) from Yelahanka airbase and that it would lead to confusion as the chances of civilian aircraft straying into its airspace was a big possibility. This would lead to obstruction of the IAF airbase, which is the premier training facility for its transport wing and helicopter division, and home to the internationally renowned Aero India show,” the officer said, BIA was hoping that it could get around the IAF’s objections to the committee’s suggestion to integrate all three air operations. “But the IAF has got back saying that it isn’t possible to integrate air traffic monitoring systems of military, civilian and hobby flying craft, dashing BIA hopes. However, amidst growing criticism over capacity issues, it has become all too obvious that by the end of 2009, a second runway would be needed. There isn’t a way out and BIAL is hoping that the defence ministry will re-examine the suggestion,” the official said.

One of the recommendations was the proposal to shift the IAF airbase from Yelahanka to HAL, as the HAL facility was largely free after civilian operations shifted to BIA, with the exception of charter, private and important aircraft movements.

“That was also written off by the IAF, which stated that Yelahanka airbase is an important installation of the force and cannot be relocated. It has stated that the airbase has been sanctioned a second runway and that massive plans are already underway to expand the facility and it cannot leave it midway,” sources said.