Date:17/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/17/stories/2008041750290100.htm

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Inspection on April 24

Bangalore Bureau

Bangalore: The Central team comprising senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation is likely to visit the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli on April 24 for an inspection.

State Government sources told The Hindu that though BIAL was willing to throw open the airport for commercial operations on May 11, “this will depend upon the April 24 inspection.

The DGCA will decide on issuing the operation licence only after this inspection.”

On the suggestions made by the High Court on Wednesday that issues concerning user development fee and continuing the operations at HAL Airport be renegotiated, the sources said they would be discussed at the highest level and a decision taken based on inputs from government counsel.

BIAL relieved

A BIAL spokesperson said, “We are very relieved that the court has not ordered an interim stay on the closure of the existing airport.” Although there would “be no formal inauguration of the new airport on May 11, it will definitely start operations on that date”.

“We are looking forward to start operations at Devanahalli on May 11 and a formal inauguration can happen after the elections when a new government is formed,” the spokesperson added.