BIA's bumpy ride to anniversary

BIA's bumpy ride to anniversary

Amid teething problems, it wins accolades for stable route network and traffic base

Bhargavi Kerur. Bangalore



Bangalore International Airport (BIA), the first greenfield airport of India, will be completing one year on Sunday.
While the Hyderabad International Airport (HIA), that became operational almost at the same time, had a smooth take off, BIA had to face legal wrangles and criticisms.
Even before its opening on May 24 2008, BIA was caught up in public interest litigation (PIL). Industry leaders said it was too small and too far away. IT/BT czars and industry bigwigs staged protests in front of the older HAL airport demanding it should be kept open. While, on the one hand, BIA faced inquiry from legislators, passengers, on the other hand, went on criticising it by comparing it with the Hyderabad International Airport.
The failure of HD Kumaraswamy's coalition government with BJP in fulfilling the promise of delivering a monorail and expressway left a big question unanswered: How can people do business if it takes long hours to get to the airport and back to the city?
Recession came as a major blow as BIAL had to put off expansion plans to handle the growing number of flights and passenger movements. After the economic meltdown, air traffic and passenger movements fell and BIAL posted a loss of Rs22 crore every month through the first six months. A part of the losses was, however, made up by introducing the user development fee (UDF). Another glitch was the Indian Air Force's objection to BIAL's plan of constructing a second runway to ease air traffic congestion.
In spite of the teething problems, BIA has won accolades for its stable route network and traffic base and succeeded in giving a cleaner and better airport. k_bhargavi@dnaindia.netuser fee: Although the Bangalore International Airport Limited posted a loss of Rs22 crore every month through the first six months, a part of the losses was made up by introducing the user development fee