BIAL soars towards greater heights

BIAL soars towards greater heights


Express News Service
First Published : 31 Dec 2008 09:47:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 31 Dec 2008 11:48:28 AM IST

India is on the verge of witnessing a sustained investment in infrastructure build up. The strong population growth in India and its active economy are generating enormous pressures to modernise and expand the country’s infrastructure.

The opening of the Bengaluru International Airport in May this year represented a new start in Indian aviation with regard to the experience of the passenger on the ground.

Despite the challenge of the redesign process taking place after half the construction was complete, the project was well on track and was ready for operation within its deadline of a record 33 months.

The airport takes pride in the fact that today it acts as a key influencer of the city’s changing landscape in multiple ways that are both apparent in terms of the passenger experience as well as to the states economy. Various segments of the airport viz. cargo, airlines, employees and concessionaires are all impacted by the presence of the airport and largely benefiting from its functioning.

The airport today employs over 5000 people proving to be one of the fastest growing employers in the city. Of this number, the airport operator, BIAL itself has employed over 700 employees. Over half of these are locals while the remaining are aviation experts and veterans from across the country.

The airport on the outskirts of the city has inadvertently facilitated the promotion of public transport as an accepted mode of commute.

The Government in association with BMTC is now investing in larger buses with automatic doors,limited stop buses for shorter route times and the introduction of the new Volvo buses on select routes thereby gradually changing the perception of public transport among users.

The airport is witness to this transformation in attitude among the city dwellers to opt for public modes of commute vis-a-vis the cushy privately-owned vehicles. The airport’s contribution as a catalyst amplifying use of public transport is redefining passenger commute choice.

The last seven months have also seen six new international airlines adding Bangalore to their list of destinations, making new international destinations directly and easily accessible.

In the coming months, this number is set to grow substantially, strengthening Bangalore’s position as a regional aviation hub.

BIAL envisages the airport, together with the real estate commercial development, to be a flourishing destination in itself. The grand vision is to develop an ‘Aerotropolis’ which is an airport city with the layout, infrastructure, and economy centred on the airport.A rail link to the city, connections to all parts of the world and a star hotel on the airport premises is all planned for. Additionally, the airport is expected to commence expansion soon consisting of the second terminal and runway.

The momentum of India’s booming civil aviation and tourism industry makes the process of airport modernisation an irreversible one, much like India’s opening up of its economy a decade ago. If there is a collective understanding about the political constraints of the government and the commercial obligations of the private promoters, this model can be a success not only for India but also for other countries.