The Hindu Business Line : Air show to cut 4 hours off BIA

Bangalore, Jan. 9 February’s Aero India show will temporarily shake up air travel over Bangalore for eight days — both the civil airport at Devanahalli and the Yelahanka Air Force Base, where the air show takes place, are barely 10-12 km or under four nautical miles apart.

Airport operator BIAL on Wednesday said it would stop all commercial flights for four hours while the flying displays were on — from February 7 to February 15.

rescheduling of flights

Civil flights normally taking place between 10 a.m. and 12 noon; and again between 2.30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. on those days will be re-adjusted. The arrangement was worked out after meetings spread over months; the airport’s peak hour travel — 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. — remains intact, a spokesperson said.

Airlines have been sounded on the reduced operating hours and re-scheduling of their flights. Airport, taxi and bus services will also be adjusted to accommodate the increase in anticipated traffic on the main airport road (NH7), which will warrant longer commuting time for passengers, BIAL said.

The country’s seventh air show is from February 11-15, while rehearsals and flying displays of the participating aircraft will be accommodated, too, it said in a release.

According to an integrated air space management arrangement, the air corridor over Bangalore is split among BIAL’s Bengaluru Airport, the IAF base in Yelahanka to its West and the old Defence airport run by HAL to the South.

Mr Marcel Hungerbuehler, Chief Operation Officer and incoming Chief Executive Officer of BIAL, said, “The Aero India show exemplifies the new opportunities made available in the civil aviation sector and the need for creating a knowledge pool to share expertise in the research and development of aircraft. We are happy to support the 2009 Aero India show and will make necessary operational provisions to ensure the success of the show.”

During February 7-10, BIAL will halt commercial flights from 10 a.m. to noon; during February 11-15, civil aircraft will not fly during display hours 10 a.m. till noon and 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.