Bangalore just might get a second airport!
HAL airport, now called as the 'Old Airport', might reopen again
HAL authorities have appealed to the civil aviation ministry to include it in the ministry's regional connectivity plan
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda also support its claim
FollowSuvarna Raju Chairman and MD of HAL, in a press meet, told that HAL is likely to open as soon as it obtains approval from the Centre. KIA has achieved the passenger traffic projected for 2020. It is estimated that by 2020 the passenger traffic would double.
A hurdle in its way will be the agreement between the government and Kempegowda International Airport Limited which prohibits any additional airport from operating within a radius of 150 kilometers.HAL has incurred a loss of Rs. 1500 crore since 2008, when KIAL started operating.
Former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda also supported HAL’s claims and expressed his displeasure over the upgradation of the Kempegowda International Airport.
One of the main reasons for pushing the reopening of HAL airport is the poor connectivity of KIAL. A Jayanagar resident will take approximately 90 minutes to reach KIAL.
Another reason is this move might lessen the traffic on Bellary road and easy access to the HAL airport, which is now called ‘Old Airport’.
The reopening of HAL airport will stop the monopoly of the KIAL. While aircraft operators incur losses due to competition, airport operators make huge profits for the lack of it.
Recently, the KIAL kept their runways closed for long hours due to maintenance work and the consumers bore the brunt. The reopening of the HAL airport will give consumers another option instead of being at the mercy of a single operator.
