Bengaluru: With Karnataka planning a second greenfield airport for the city, discussions are also underway to bring back commercial flights at the HAL
airport before May 2033. That is when the exclusivity agreement with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) ends. As per this deal, no other airport within 150 km of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) can handle commercial operations.
HAL airport, situated in the heart of Bengaluru, served as the city’s main airport from 1941 until 2008. At present, it is only used for special flights, including those for VVIPs, managed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Recently, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), and BIAL met to explore the idea of expanding and reopening the airport for public use.
Will reduce air traffic burden on Bengaluru Airport
According to a senior AAI official, Karnataka Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh has requested BIAL to grant a no-objection certificate (NOC) so that commercial flights can resume. She has assured that the state government will cover any financial loss.
Bangalore South MP L S Tejasvi Surya said that Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu is “very supportive” of restarting commercial flights from HAL. The AAI’s 10-year master plan includes pulling down the old terminal in 2030 and beginning work on a new one.
“The terminal belongs to AAI, but the surrounding land is with the Defence authorities. We have maintained good relations with them since the 1940s, and they have agreed to open up the airport for commercial use. Expansion will begin in 2030 so that a new terminal is ready before 2033. If BIAL agrees and gives an NOC, flights could start even earlier,” the official explained.
Development plan
The master plan shows that the new terminal will be developed step by step. “In the first stage, we will focus only on the basic needs, using the available land. More growth will depend on passenger traffic and land availability,” the official added.
The upgraded HAL airport will also feature a seven-storey parking facility, a commercial complex, and a wider approach road. “It is not yet clear if BIAL will take part in the redevelopment. The ownership and operational rights may be auctioned to the highest bidder,” the official said.
While BIAL has chosen not to comment, the chief secretary was also unavailable.
Tejasvi Surya supports plan
Meanwhile, BJP MP Tejasvi Surya has been actively pushing for the reopening. “I have already met the Civil Aviation Minister three times, and he is very eager to move this forward,” he told DH. “BIAL and AAI have also had two rounds of talks. The minister has directed his team to find the most workable solution quickly. Once BIAL and AAI reach a deal, things will move faster.”
Bangalore Central MP PC Mohan echoed the optimism. “The Civil Aviation Ministry has reacted positively. Their only concerns are about passenger movement between KIA and HAL. Once that is resolved, the plan can go ahead. The second airport that the state has proposed is still a long-term project. Until then, HAL can play a big role in handling domestic flights,” Mohan said.
