Despite the uncertainty over the Bengaluru International Airport’s (BIA) preparedness to start commercial operations, its main promoters, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) on Tuesday reiterated that the airport will begin operations on March 30, as scheduled.

Brushing aside reports on the postponement of the airport’s opening date, BIAL CEO Albert Brunner said that BIAL had demonstrated the airport readiness with the successful flight trials conducted on March 7. “During the trials, BIAL had committed to delivering the new international airport to the city of Bangalore on March 30, 2008, while the inauguration is scheduled for March 28, 2008,” he said in a press statement.

Mr Brunner said BIAL had not received any information validating media reports (on the postponement).
AAI officials here were quick to declare that the March 30 deadline could just not be met, since the Air Traffic Control facility was nowhere near completion, nor were its personnel trained in handling the various equipment attached. Besides, it was the DGCA that had to give the final clearance to start the operations, officials said.