Even as the international airport at Devanahalli is getting readied, the question uppermost in everyone’s minds is ‘does Bangalore need two airports? A majority of Bangaloreans feel so.
An overwhelming number of readers responding to a Deccan Herald debate on whether domestic flight operations at HAL airport should continue once the international airport is ready, sent in mails and e-mails expressing their support for the airport.
While some felt the Chief Minister should initiate a revision in the agreement with BIAL, which says no airport would be allowed within 150 km of the new airport, others felt a revision was not fair on BIAL. Excerpts from responses.

Numbers warrant two
I agree with Bangaloreans that we need a second airport since the City’s population is growing at an enormous pace and the number of air passengers has seen a steep rise in recent years. We need to maintain the HAL airport for domestic flights.
Rohith Iyer

Think practical
The HAL airport should not be closed down even after the Devanahalli airport starts operations. For a resident of, say, Padmanabhanagar, catching an early morning flight and returning the same night would be very difficult considering the distance to Devanahalli.
Anand Murthy

Two airports needed
The HAL airport should be retained and used for domestic flights. This will ease traffic on the road to Devanahalli and reduce traffic bottlenecks on the connecting roads. Bangalore is growing at a rapid space and there will be a definite increase in passenger traffic and the number of flights operated to and from Bangalore. The possibilities warrant two airports.
T V Rao                                                            

Ensure fast transfer
Why not operate the HAL airport with an arrangement of transferring passengers by mono-rail, tube, or on surface (bus or train)? In extreme instances, it might take an hour to get from one airport to the other, which we can survive.
Don’t we wait endlessly for flights to take off sometimes even after boarding the aircraft? We can have a helicopter service to transfer passengers as well.
But then, it takes courage and imagination on the part of those involved to take bold decisions.
Sreedharan A T S

Traffic to be hit
The HAL airport should be retained as a domestic airport when the BIAL airport in Devanahalli starts operations. Mumbai has two airports: one domestic and another international, while a third airport at Navi Mumbai is under consideration. If HAL airport is not retained for domestic flights, it will only add to the City’s traffic woes.
P K Ramakrishnan

Connect both
If at all an option exists of having two airports, then Bangalore surely needs that option.
The landing rights should be distributed among domestic airlines to fly into both airports. Passengers connecting to international could fly to Devanahalli airport and local fliers could use airlines which fly to HAL airport. The key is also to have good connectivity between the two airports.
Possibilities of a dedicated rail or elevated mono rail link between the two airports should be explored.
Rajeev Rau

Two is the global trend
Devanahalli airport is too far for domestic passengers. Also, the huge amount spent on the HAL airport to give it a new look will also go in vain.
There are many international cities with two airports, one for mainly domestic and another for international/domestic. Bangalore can take a cue from these cities.
S N Giri

HAL for domestic
Considering the increasing traffic and the infrastructure problems in Bangalore, the HAL airport should be retained for operating domestic flights. Both airports should be available at least for the first six months of BIAL airport’s operations.
N Prakash

Need of the future
It’s pointless travelling 90 minutes to Devanahalli to board a 45-minute flight. Adding to the commuter’s problems is the long traffic jams and vehicular pollution on the way to the airport. Authorities should retain the HAL airport for domestic flights, considering that more airlines are entering the market.
Sathyanarayan

Need for helipads
Bangalore not only needs two airports, but a few helipads as well. VIPs can stay off congested roads and use helicopters to reach the BIAL airport. Alternate connectivity to Devanahalli is an immediate requirement.
Helicopter shuttle service to and from HAL and BIAL is also possible, without much extra cost. Schedules of periodic flights can also be made available on cash-tickets for holders of valid tickets in any airline landing at BIAL. This scheme can be announced for a period of one year from April 2008 on a trial basis, extendable if found effective.
Sqn Ldr B G Prakash