Launch of Bangalore international airport put off to May 11

The much-publicised launch of commercial flight operations from Bangalore International airport at Devanahalli near here has been postponed to May 11, from March 30 as earlier scheduled, in view of the delay in establishing Air Traffic Control (ATC) services.

Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) decided May 11 as the new date for launch of flight operations from the newly constructed airport after the Federal Ministry of Civil Aviation suggested that the opening be put off by six weeks due to the delay in setting up the ATC services.

“We have received communication from the Ministry of Civil Aviation seeking consideration of a suitable opening date after May 10, 2008, due to the delays on ATC services. BIAL has decided the new date of airport opening as May 11, 2008”, said an statement issued by BIAL.

BIAL has also indicated to the Federal Civil Aviation Ministry that the first commercial flight was likely to take off at 12.01 am on May 11.

The Civil Aviation Ministry, in its letter to BIAL Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Brunner had cited lack of readiness of the ATC services as the main reason for the delay. Though all the agencies had confirmed their readiness, state-run Airport Authority of India (AAI), under whose purview falls the task of setting up ATC services, had reservation about the availability of ATC services by March 30.

BIAL has expressed its disappointment with the delay in opening of the airport. “We are clearly disappointed with this delay especially as our employees and all our partners have been working tirelessly to launch the airport on schedule on March 30. This delay is beyond the control of BIAL”, said Anjana Kher Murray, head of BIAL’s Corporation Communications division.

Nevertheless, to mark the successful readiness of the airport infrastructure, BIAL will hold an event to showcase the new airport on March 30.