Plan for BIA Terminal 2 ready

Even the expanded T-1 of B'lore airport will saturate soon

Terminal 1 expansion might be the priority of the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) now. But the City’s exponential population growth will mean the 15 million per year capacity of the expanded T-1 will be saturated quickly.

This is precisely why despite the financial constraints, the airport promoters have the plan and design ready for a second terminal: An ultra-modern complex big enough to cater to 35 million passengers annually!

Once ready, the rejigged T-1 will fit in 17 million passengers a year. But BIAL estimates that the airport passenger traffic will easily touch the 17-20 million figures by 2017. Here’s the rationale: In the last five years, the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) has catered to over 50 million travellers. These volumes are widely expected to increase.

Artistic renderings of the Terminal 2 indicate that the new design will be highly innovative, even “iconic” as billed by the airport promoters. To be integrated with the expanded T-1, the new terminal is expected to feature built-in flexibility for future growth. The entire terminal will have a huge garden incorporated in its plan, besides rail connectivity to T-1 and the City through the Metro.

Enhanced passenger experience, reduced walking distance, airside flexibility and pleasing aesthetics are all part of the design. However, as airport experts say, BIAL would find it tough to ensure a seamless layout if it failed to integrate the airport infrastructure with the non-aeronautical facilities originally planned.

In the 4,000 acres allotted for the airport project, BIAL was to set up several revenue-generating facilities including an airport hotel.

The T2 design is impressive. Yet, there are many who doubt whether the project could kick off, considering BIAL’s current financial woes.

The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) is yet to decide on BIAL’s request for a hefty hike in the User Development Fees (UDF) to raise revenues. Besides, they point out that the current T-1 upgrade, which will enhance the terminal space from 73,347 sq meters to 150,000 sq meters, would negate a secondary terminal.

Reason for this contention: Twenty-five years after the BIA’s commercial launch, the government will not be legally binding to keep the HAL airport closed.

Opening the old airport for domestic flights and the upgradation of the Hubli airport to international status would drive huge volumes away from BIA. The 35 million annual passengers mark, they argue, would be tough to reach.