The Hindu Business Line : KCCI urges Ministry not to close existing airport at Bangalore

Mangalore, March 8 The Kanara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has urged the Civil Aviation Ministry not to close HAL airport at Bangalore after the inauguration of the new Bengaluru International Airport on March 30.

It has cited improper infrastructure facilities connecting the new airport and Bangalore city as reason for the request.

Time consuming

Travellers from Mangalore will have to spend more time travelling to their destinations in Bangalore than the total time they spend in flight, it said.

In a letter to the Union Civil Aviation Minister, Mr Praful Patel — copies of which were released to the press here on Saturday — Mr K. Narasimha Prabhu, KCCI President, said that daily, five flights operate between Mangalore and Bangalore with total travel time of around 45 minutes.

“Since proper infrastructure to and from the new airport is yet to be provided, and because it is far away from Bangalore city, a lot of travel time is likely to be wasted. Under the present traffic situation, travellers from Mangalore, who spend about 45 minutes in the flight, will have to spend a few hours more for their trip in Bangalore,” he said.

User fee

Further, passengers may be forced to pay the user fee levied at the new airport, he said.

“If the old airport is closed, the passengers will be forced to use the new international airport and pay the user fee,” he said.

Proper facilities

The Ministry should withhold closure of the old airport in Bangalore for the time being till proper infrastructure facilities are provided to the best advantage of travellers at the new international airport, he added.

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KCCI urges Ministry not to close existing airport at Bangalore