Only VVIPs Yaake? Opening The Old Airport In Bengaluru Would Be A Win-Win For Everyone

Understanding the Challenges of Bengaluru’s Airport

Bengaluru, the IT hub of India, faces a common problem that many of us can relate to - the hassle of reaching the airport on time. The city’s rapid growth has led to increased traffic congestion, making it a daunting task to reach the airport, especially during peak hours and monsoons. However, this wasn’t always the case. Let’s take a trip down memory lane to understand the history of Bengaluru’s airport.

The Early Years

In the early 1940s, the British set up Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with the support of the Maharaja of Mysore. The facility was used by the Indian Air Force and HAL for test flights. After the Second World War, commercial operations began, with civilian aircraft taking off from the city. The airport’s rich history is a testament to its significance.

The Need for Expansion

As the city’s population grew, the demand for a world-class facility increased. However, the lack of space around the airport for further expansion meant that a new airport had to be built. The present Kempegowda International Airport was envisioned and later inaugurated.

The Old Airport’s Limited Use

After the new airport was operational, the old airport was limited to defence purposes and was used by VVIPs (Very, Very Important Persons). An agreement signed in 2004 with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) stated that the old airport had to end all commercial operations. However, BIAL declined the offer to manage the HAL airport, citing revenue-sharing disagreements.

The Possibility of Revival

If the distance clause were omitted and BIAL were to sign off on it, there could be a threat from Tamil Nadu, which has proposed a new airport in Hosur, near Bengaluru’s IT hubs. However, Hosur cannot legally host an airport as it falls within a 150-km radius of the new airport. BIAL may also fear a decrease in footfall and revenue if the old airport were to become operational.

The Benefits of Revival

The HAL airport was capable of handling 30 movements per hour and 10 million passengers a year before its closure in 2008. It had a 3,307-metre runway, one of the widest in the country, capable of handling even Boeing 747s. If the old airport were to open for civilian flights, passengers could fly out happy, at least for short distances to cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, Chennai, or Hubballi. The travel distance from residential areas to the new airport is significant, and opening the old airport would greatly reduce travel times for many.

The IT Hubs’ Perspective

The IT boom in Bengaluru has led to a drastic increase in population, especially in eastern pockets like Marathahalli, Electronic City, Varthur, Whitefield, Krishnarajapuram, Mahadevapura, and Hosakote. The travel distance from these areas to the new airport is significant, and opening the old airport would greatly reduce travel times for many.

Conclusion

In conclusion, opening the old airport in Bengaluru would be a win-win for everyone. It would reduce travel times for passengers, especially those living in residential areas, and provide an alternative airport for short-distance flights. The government is deciding on a location for a second airport, and it makes sense to explore all possible means of opening up the old airport for short-distance flights to nearby cities and states.

Historical Context:

• The British established Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru in the early 1940s, which was initially used for test flights by the Indian Air Force and HAL.
• After World War II, commercial operations began at the airport, with civilian aircraft taking off from the city.
• The airport’s significance is evident from its rich history, which dates back to the early 1940s.
• In the 2000s, the need for a world-class facility led to the construction of the present Kempegowda International Airport, which was inaugurated later.
• The old airport was limited to defense purposes and was used by VVIPs (Very, Very Important Persons) after the new airport was operational.
• An agreement signed in 2004 with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) stated that the old airport had to end all commercial operations, but BIAL declined to manage the HAL airport due to revenue-sharing disagreements.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The old airport in Bengaluru was initially used for test flights and commercial operations after World War II. • The airport’s capacity was limited, and a new airport was built to meet the growing demand. • The old airport was limited to defense purposes and used by VVIPs after the new airport was operational. • The airport had a 3,307-meter runway, capable of handling Boeing 747s, and could handle 30 movements per hour and 10 million passengers a year. • Opening the old airport for civilian flights could reduce travel times for passengers, especially those living in residential areas. • The airport could be used for short-distance flights to cities like Kochi, Coimbatore, Chennai, or Hubballi. • The IT hubs’ perspective suggests that opening the old airport would greatly reduce travel times for many, especially those living in eastern pockets like Marathahalli, Electronic City, Varthur, Whitefield, Krishnarajapuram, Mahadevapura, and Hosakote. • The government is deciding on a location for a second airport, and opening the old airport for short-distance flights could be a viable option. • The revival of the old airport could provide an alternative airport for short-distance flights and reduce travel times for passengers.