[srini1785]

HAL AIRPORT TO START COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS AGAIN.

https://www.msn.com/en-in/urban-infr...fded55ec&ei=54

I would prefer this for nostalgic reasons. There were 5 gates (i think) those days and Majestic bus stand was less crowded and less chaotic. Not to forget Delhi-Bangalore flight time was 2 hours but reaching BTM layout from airport was another 2 hours.

[BoneCollector]

Apparently, the Airport Authority of India has approved a masterplan to make the HAL Airport (Old airport) operational for civilian flights. It had stopped civilian flights in 2008 after the BIAL became operational. Details here.

According to the report, the HAL airport handles about 12 small aircraft daily, including those used by defence forces, VIPs, and private entities. Its single runway, spanning 3,306 meters in length and 61 meters in width, remains operational 24/7 and offers 30 aircraft parking spots.

The newly approved plan will accommodate up to 40 lakh passengers annually by 2047. During peak hours, the airport can manage around 2,500 passengers. Before halting commercial operations in 2008, HAL Airport handled over 10 lakh flyers during the 2007-08 fiscal year. Apart from that, a six-story multi-level car parking structure with a capacity for 500 vehicles will be constructed, and a two-lane road in front of the terminal will also be widened into four lanes to enhance accessibility and traffic flow.

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[dass]

For some reason, I think this is a political one upmanship to deter the current ruling party from selecting another place of their choice for the 2nd airport.

[Chetan_Rao]

What a fantastic idea! HAL will likely be a longer commute than BIAL. Bonus chaos for anyone working along that entire stretch.

Whichever worthy had this brilliant idea should have their official bungalow moved to HAL premises, and their escort convoy taken away. Let's see how they like their own idea.

[ajmat]

Originally Posted by srini1785

I would prefer this for nostalgic reasons. There were 5 gates (i think) those days and Majestic bus stand was less crowded and less chaotic. Not to forget Delhi-Bangalore flight time was 2 hours but reaching BTM layout from airport was another 2 hours.

Don't think it is feasible for the following reasons

1: It will take the same time commuting in thick traffic to HAL as it takes BIAL

2: Only way to eliminate "1" is to build a major overhead road but one has the Domlur flyover and the airspace to contend with

3: For the airport to be viable, it needs to scale up in size but none of the support infrastructure will permit this and the military wlll not release land easily

[PreludeSH]

Dont think the roads around HAL airport will be able to handle the traffic. With increase in vehicles on ring road and even from Domlur/Koramangala side compared to 2008, it will be utter chaos. Even the airport building has not place for counters, baggage etc

[deep_bang]

One way to still make it possible is to enable a very good public transport system (metro and Volvo) to major areas and let that be the best mode of transport.

I have travelled to the current Bengaluru Airport via Volvo and it's pretty good except for the frequency and possibly connectivity to various areas. But it's super light on the pocket and that's the USP they need to make use of. There are a lot of people who travel as a single person every weekend to their home towns and they would surely not mind saving a few hundred bucks that would have otherwise gone to a cab. But the frequency and quality should be top notch!

One thing I couldn't understand is: Bial has a contract that says there can be no other airport in the vicinity until 2034. So does it mean this plan is post 2034? If so, the city may have drastically changed by then!!!

[Sensible_Speed]

I can only see the traffic nightmare this will cause. Given how the government is placing added emphasis on private mobility, instead of public transport, Old Airport road will take back the title of most congested road in Bangalore once again. Having lived in the area all my life, I dread the gridlock that will be created again, unless proper long-term, high capacity, mass transport solutions are put in place. The access road to the terminal is narrow and has no scope for expansion as of now. The airport also sits in a highly residential part of the city. I wonder how the government will deal with these issues when the reopen the place.

IMO, the KIA in Devanahalli is a brilliantly managed airport and has all the facilities in place to handle future expansion and increased passenger footfall. They already do a very good job at it compared to most other airports in India. It makes no sense to revive the HAL Airport for commercial activity, except for those that live in the Electronic City area, which is about 80 km from the current airport.

Initially, the prospect of walking to the Airport seems enticing, but once you take even a passing glance at the bigger picture, you see the size of the dumpster fire this problem will cause.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by Sensible_Speed

I can only see the traffic nightmare this will cause.

Absolutely! I live pretty close by too and I remember the traffic jams way back in 2008 itself. It will be spectacular to see what it will be now or in the 2030s when this proposal is supposed to go through! And I'm not sure where the extra land will come from to build better and bigger facilities. Will HAL provide more land for a civilian airport? One of the last few flights I took out of HAL airport in 2008, the line was literally outside the airport to enter the terminal! Wonder how it will accommodate the number of fliers today, without a lot of extra land acquisition. By 2030 the Metro line to the KIA should be ready, I think that will be a more feasible and sustainable option.

[binand]

Originally Posted by srini1785

I would prefer this for nostalgic reasons.

I live in Yemalur and I absolutely dread this option. I can only hope the 2nd airport project materialises and another 25-year moratorium agreement is signed with someone.

[Malyaj]

This is not going to happen. It is likely the brainchild of some AAI official posted in HAL currently with little to no work on their hands. I have met such characters before.

[DigitalOne]

It is good that the authorities are showing some initiative quite early instead of waking up in 2030-31.

Originally Posted by dass

For some reason, I think this is a political one upmanship to deter the current ruling party from selecting another place of their choice for the 2nd airport.

Nope. Opening up of HAL airport is also being supported by the current administration ruling the state. Read here:

However, MB Patil, industries and infrastructure development , suggested Bengaluru could eventually have three viable airports. "HAL Airport would be open for commercial operations after 2033, and Bengaluru will have three airports. A small airport such as HAL's would help ease the load on KIA and the upcoming greenfield airport," Patil said.

Originally Posted by deep_bang

One way to still make it possible is to enable a very good public transport system (metro and Volvo) to major areas and let that be the best mode of transport.

Originally Posted by am1m

Absolutely! I live pretty close by too and I remember the traffic jams way back in 2008 itself. It will be spectacular to see what it will be now or in the 2030s when this proposal is supposed to go through!

For those who are rightfully comparing the situation before 2008 and the possible situation post 2033, there is a critical difference. Post 2033 if the HAL airport is reopened for commercial flights, it will be one of the three airports serving the city. The govt can make, for example, reasonable restrictions:

• Car entry and parking exorbitantly expensive.
• No check-in baggage.
• No international flights.
• Very few cafes and restaurants.
• Only web check-in.

In other words, make it like a commuter airport with very less support infrastructure (parking space, baggage belts etc). Just get in and get out.

Pre-2008 there was no metro. Post 2033, there will be 3 metro stations in a 5 kms radius to HAL airport:

• Indiranagar metro (Purple line, existing)
• Marathahalli (Blue ORR line, under construction)
• Near Vellara Junction (Pink North South line, under construction).

Frequent buses to these metro stations should be possible, thus reducing drastically the need for cars/taxis (no check-in baggage, remember?).

A few years back, there was a proposal for an east-west underground metro line along the old airport road, from Varthur to Magadi road. This line is not part of the Metro phase III (under planning). This line can be put back in phase IV, whenever the planning starts.

In short, HAL would be a great option as a city airport if all agencies work together.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by DigitalOne

In other words, make it like a commuter airport with very less support infrastructure (parking space, baggage belts etc).

Will that be profitable? Especially if there are 2 other airports? From whatever I've seen at the KIA, "we love to carry our world with us" applies to most passengers (and preferably into the cabin! ) But maybe the number of business fliers has increased to a point where this may be viable. Not sure though.

Originally Posted by DigitalOne

In short, HAL would be a great option as a city airport if all agencies work together.

That's a pretty big IF.

Either way, great counter-view, interesting concept, thanks for sharing!

[Prof87]

The Greenfield airport will be more or less in the south side of Blore and might need more time to open since its being built from scratch. Opening up HAL will be helpful since the basic set up is already in place and this will also help passengers from the core CBD areas as this will fall in between the North and South airport. But govt needs to plan well in advance to ensure there isn't any traffic bottleneck and provide frequent airport buses to reduce travel time.