The Hindu Business Line : ‘No case for 2 airports in Bangalore’

Mr Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL, said that keeping the HAL airport running commercially will be disastrous to both the players and the economy of the city. He was speaking at a round table on airport connectivity organised by the Bangalore Chamber of Commerce and Industry here.

“Milan and Montreal kept their old one open and both are a disaster now. Don’t be tempted about keeping the HAL airport open (after the new one is commissioned).” However, the new airports at Oslo, Munich, Athens and Hong Kong were a success as the old ones were closed.

In response to suggestions that HAL should operate short flights to neighbouring States, Mr Brunner said long-haul international flights came to a city only on the basis of short-haul links to places beyond it.

A main premise of the agreement between BIAL and the Centre is the closure of the airport, and shifting its operations to Devanahalli. BIAL’s promoters have invested Rs 2,400 crore and are already working at its next expansion. “Keeping the old airport will also be a legal mess as the dozen concessionaires (of airport-related services like cargo, fuel, ground handling, retail, commercial units) are investing Rs 1,000 crore in their facilities,” he said.

Admittedly the growth of city’s air traffic has been unprecedented: from 4-5 million a year projected in 2001 to the current 10 million. BIAL would be starting off with 11-12 million in March next year and has accordingly increased the airport size by 40 per cent without shifting the opening date.

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