When it comes to the big question — does Bangalore need two airports? — Bangaloreans seem to be screaming a big yes. Reacting to a Deccan Herald debate on whether domestic flight operations at HAL airport should continue even after the new international airport at Devanahalli starts functioning, readers sent in e-mails and letters overwhelmingly in support of retaining the airport.
Most readers felt the HAL airport was necessary at least during the initial stages of the new airport’s operations, considering the lack of connectivity between the City and Devanahalli and the projected rise in passenger traffic in the coming years. The contention was there was no point travelling for more than an hour to Devanahalli to board short-haul domestic flights.
Readers also urged the Chief Minister to intervene and initiate a revision in the agreement with BIAL, wh-ich says no airport would be allowed to function within 150 km of the new airport. There were also responses that highlighted that a revision of agreement at this stage was not fair on BIAL and connectivity issues we-re the responsibility of the government. Excerpts from responses:

Still a viable option
Viewed in the backdrop of the agreement between the government and BIAL, one can only hope for a compromise. Two airports could still be viable with the following arrangement:
All international flights can be operated at Devanahalli, and domestic flights can be operated at both airports (similar to Shanghai, Dallas and many other major cities). Short-haul flights can be retained at HAL and all long-haul flights of low-cost carriers can be moved to Devanahalli. Good connection flights can also be provided for domestic travel from Devanahalli.
An additional tax could be levied on flights from HAL in a tiered fashion for low-cost and full-fare airlines. The monies collected through this can be directed to BIAL.
If BIAL doesn’t agree to this on a permanent basis, the government should insist on this arrangement at least for the next two to three years, till world-class connectivity to the airport is in place.
Girish Prabhu
Lead- Design Research & Innovation, Intel

CM should intervene
Bangalore needs more than one airport because people would be put to a lot of trouble travelling all the way to the Devanahalli airport. The State government should insist on a revision in the agreement with BIAL. The flying time to Chennai/ Hyderabad is hardly 45 minutes, but it will take more than an hour to reach the new airport. The CM should realise the seriousness of the issue and intervene.
Sudarshan Shankar

Advantage of location
It goes without saying the HAL airport has to be retained. Devanahalli is on one end of the world and taking domestic flights from there doesn’t make any sense. Roads, transport facilities and time are crucial factors. Since HAL airport is centrally located, we must continue to operate domestic flights from here.
Wayne Fernandez

Airport for Metros
Besides the passengers who’ll have to travel the distance, people commuting between their offices and homes will be put to greater hardship considering the burgeoning traffic on all routes leading to the new airport. This will affect their performance. The agreement between BIAL and the Union Civil Aviation Ministry should be revised and HAL airport allowed to continue its domestic flights connecting at least the metros in the south. The Devanahalli airport can be used for long-distance flights to cities, including Delhi and Kolkata, besides international operations.
H Narayanan

Unfair on BIAL
International airport project is based on certain air traffic projections and it is patently unfair to renege from the very basis of the agreement, which clearly stipulates that no airport will operate within the radius of 150 km. The fact that Devanahalli is far away was known when the deal was inked. If HAL airport is retained, passenger alighting at Devanahalli will have to travel through the City to reach HAL, where he can take the required domestic flight. The move to retain HAL airport should be considered only after discussions and with the concurrence of BIAL. The fact that roads to Devanahalli are not ready yet, is actually a sad reflection on the efficiency of the government.
M M Gurbaxani