The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Decision today on date of airport opening

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Monday, May 12, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Decision today on date of airport opening

Staff Reporter

BIAL should have started operations on Sunday

Fate of HAL Airport to be decided at meeting in New Delhi
Proposed user development fee will also be discussed

BANGALORE: The fate of the HAL Airport will be decided on Monday even as a fresh date for the opening of the Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) at Devanahalli will be taken at a meeting in New Delhi.

According to the earlier schedule, BIAL should have commenced operations on Sunday.

The meeting assumes importance as Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) representatives are expected to place their opinion on the proposals provided by the Union Government on the usage of HAL Airport for short haul flights.

Principal Secretary Infrastructure Department V.P. Baligar told The Hindu that the issue of HAL Airport, and the proposed user development fee (UDF) will also be discussed at the meeting to be attended by the officials of the State Government and the Union Government apart from the representatives of BIAL.

A fresh date for the opening of the Bangalore International Airport will be taken at the meeting.

(The opening of the new airport has been postponed twice in the past.)

After the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) refused permission for its earlier launch scheduled on March 30, BIAL had revised the date of opening to May 11.

Mr. Baligar said that the DGCA has permitted BIAL to go ahead and fix the new opening date even as clearances from the DGCA were awaited.

He said that the DGCA is likely to accord permission to the airport within a few days. “Minor procedures such as signing of certificates are to be completed, and the fresh date will be notified after the meeting,” he added.

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