Date:17/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/17/stories/2008061758670300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Separate terminal for low-cost airlines proposed

Staff Reporter

Nearly 30 per cent of domestic passengers travel by low-cost airlines

Terminal building for low-cost airlines will take at least 18 months
Number of toilets in the terminal building and at other areas not adequate

Bangalore: Admitting that the existing terminal building is insufficient for its passenger capacity, Bangalore International Airport Limited Chief Executive Officer Albert Brunner on Monday announced that the company is proposing to build an additional terminal building exclusively to cater to the passengers of low cost airlines.

However, the exclusive terminal building for low-cost airlines will take at least 18 months to be completed once the proposal is approved at the company’s Board.

Delivering a talk on Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) at the Aeronautical Society of India here, Mr. Brunner said that construction of a separate terminal building, adjacent to the main passenger terminal building, will reduce the burden on the latter as nearly 30 per cent of the domestic passengers travel by low-cost airlines.

This additional terminal building is likely to be completed by the end of 2009, he added.

Also, the BIAL is expanding the main terminal building along with constructing additional taxiway, apron area besides building the second runway and the second terminal building in the third phase of expansion, by 2013.

Inadequate toilets

Mr. Brunner admitted number of toilets in the terminal building and at other areas was not adequate and there has been a delay in cleaning the toilets.

“It is true that toilets are heavily used and there is a need to have more toilets. Sometimes, toilets are stinking due to delay in cleaning,” he said while assuring that the number of toilets would be doubled at the earliest.

He said that he was not fully satisfied with the certain services and operations, like ground handling due to which there were delays in check-in, waiting time during take off and landing. Mr. Brunner, however, said that these services had improved now.

Mr. Brunner pointed out that many airlines had not signed contract with either of the ground handling agencies at the airport even after commencement of operations and that has caused delay in attachment of ladders and baggage clearance system. The space at domestic departure lounge is not fully available for the passengers as three airlines have not furnished these areas as yet.

Referring to the demand of two airports, Mr. Brunner said that people have to adopt for “one airport concept” as it is the ultimate solution for a comprehensive air transport operation in a city. Second airport can be there only when the existing one reaches saturation, he added.

On demand for retaining HAL Airport for domestic operations, he recalled that HAL management about 15 years ago wanted the Government to establish a separate airport for civil aviation but now they want commercial operations.

“Even city’s business community too wanted a separate airport with better facilities for commercial operations and when such an airport is ready, they want the old one to be retained,” he added.