Bangalore HAL airport will shut down soon with a low profile opening of the new BIAL airport by the Aviation ministry expected on May 23 or 24.

But the decision might be left to the new government in Karnataka. The previous administration had earlier said that the new airport would be operational before the end of this month.

There had been hope that the airport operator BIAL would agree to keep the existing HAL airport operational for short haul distances. But, stating the capacity of the airport to handle up to 15 million passengers per year, BIAL said that there was no need to continue the existing airport. Unfortunately for HAL, even the airlines that were consulted by the ministry were in favor of BIAL’s decision.

At a second round of meeting held on May 12, the equity holders of the new Greenfield airport - BIAL, the Karnataka government and the Civil Aviation Ministry, came to the conclusion that the existence of HAL airport will not be viable. This meeting however, did not discuss the controversial issue of the user development fee to be levied on departing passengers.

The Airports Authority of India Employees’ Union has decided to take the matter of retaining HAL airport, to the courts. Favouring the retention of HAL airport, Captain G R Gopinath said that like all other big cities in the world, even Bangalore needed two airports. He also felt that the government could compensate for the losses incurred due to the existence of HAL. X

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