Shifting the domestic and international airport in Bangalore from HAL to Devanahalli, situated roughly 25 kilometres from Bangalore city, is likely to cause financial loss to the IT companies in the city. A good section of IT professionals fly frequently and the IT companies also have a large number of international visitors.

For an IT company in Indiranagar, close to the old HAL airport, city taxis charge as much as Rs.470 (US$11.48) during the day to the new Devanahalli airport and Rs.650 (US$15.74) between 10 pm and 6 am compared with Rs.150 (US$3.67) to HAL airport during the day and Rs.225 (US$5.49) between 10 pm and 6 am. And the time taken to reach Devanahalli airport is another factor that makes it very inconvenient for international travellers. Domestic travellers will end up travelling to Devanahalli airport for a longer time than the flight lasts.

A proposed user development fee on passengers could further add to travellers' woes. The Indian High Court on April 17 directed the Airports’ Authority of India (AAI) to negotiate with Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), suggesting levying a user development fee on passengers.

A spokesperson for one of the major IT companies said that it was too early to say how it would affect them, since a final decision on whether HAL airport will be functional for commercial flights has not yet been taken. Karnataka elections at the end of the month complicate the problem. A high speed rail link between the centre of Bangalore and BIAL is a far-off dream. And building the Bangalore Metro will take some time. X