Bangalore Aviation News, Reviews, Analysis and opinions of Indian Aviation
I read the following story in the TravelBizMonitor (TBM) with a big pinch of salt. In paragraph two of the TBM article, Dr. Vijay Mallya, Chairman, Kingfisher Airlines, is quoted as saying he is completely against charging the UDF as part of the ticket. Yet airlines are perfectly at ease over-charging passengers a “transaction fee” to cover the travel agent …
Read More »Tag Archives: Bengaluru International Airport
BIAL knew well in time … and did nothing
Two newspaper articles, published in Bangalore today, concerning BIAL, the company promoting Bengaluru International Airport, deeply saddened me, despite proving my claims right. Readers will recall, for the past year, in public and on this blog, I have been claiming that the growth rate of aviation in Bangalore, was beyond the capacity of the new BIAL airport. My article “The …
Read More »Indian Air Force objecting to BIAL’s second runway proposal
After reading the below story in The Mint, I can only shake my head and say …”oh no not again!!!”. Both Bengaluru International Airport (BIAL) and Air Force Station (AFS) Yelahanka are vital to Bangalore. AFS Yelahanka is the premier training facility for the Indian Air Force (IAF) transport wing, and home to the internationally renowned AeroIndia show, which brings …
Read More »Customs to shift all operations to BIAL airport
Back in June, I led a high level delegation of industries on a visit of the air cargo facilities run by Menzies Aviation Bobba Group, and Air India Singapore Airport Terminal Services at Bengaluru International Airport. (Read that article). We observed that the Indian Customs Authority did not have a full presence at BIAL airport, despite earlier assurances to Industry …
Read More »Behind the scene at BIAL
Quietly, the team at BIAL, has been fixing the problems, to produce a smooth running and efficient airport. On Saturday, 6-Sep-2008, I had the pleasure of visiting the new Bengaluru International Airport as a guest of BIAL Chief Operating Officer Marcel Hungelbuehler and Chief Commercial Officer Manisha Grover. I thank them for the hospitality and the openness. The BIAL airport …
Read More »Congratulations to BIAL on their 100 days anniversary
Congratulations to the entire team at Bengaluru International Airport Limited for achieving 100 days of operations. I also acknowledge the hard work put in the two cargo terminal operators Menzies Aviation-Bobba and Air India-Singapore Airport Terminal Services, and all the other stake-holders at the BIAL airport. Most of the initial teething troubles have been addressed and rectified and the engagement …
Read More »Looking Beyond UDF
Is our fixation with user development fee (UDF) as the funding workhorse for our airports causing us to overlook other more efficient and social benefit-maximizing funding options? V Ranganathan, Indranil Guha, Manuj Sethi & Reema Mahajan Indian airports are in the throes of modernization. With work complete or nearing completion in four major ones — Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore …
Read More »BIAL and BMTC to cooperate and increase Vayu Vajra visibility
I have updated all the BIAL transport information in December 2008 click here for that article. Please use the Bus & Taxi link on the main menu bar. If you find this article useful, before jumping off the blog, I will appreciate if you can leave a comment or your thanks. Also consider subscribing to the blog via RSS or …
Read More »Work on road to BIA from Nov
DH News Service, Bangalore: Work on the much awaited six-lane elevated road between Hebbal and Yelahanka bypass to facilitate smooth traffic to and from the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) will start from November this year. Speaking to reporters here after reviewing the progress of various national highway development projects in the State, Union Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport …
Read More »A commercially oriented machine, without heart or soul
A commercially oriented machine, without heart or soul Business sense‘Small thinking has sunk in in the infrastructure at BIA’Chairs in the international departure area are uncomfortable BAD PLANNING: A view of departure lounge at Bengaluru International Airport. Reading, day in, day out of the challenges facing Bangalore’s spanking new international airport, one begins to wonder whether proximity to a few …
Read More »Civil Aviation ministry officials to inspect BIAL, again
BIA facilities under scannerB S Arun, DH News Service, New Delhi: A team of the civil aviation ministry will visit the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) on August 19 for an inspection of the facilities there in the light adverse remarks made against the new aerodrome in its report by the Airports Authority of India (AAI). The ministry officials will also …
Read More »BIAL is a functional airport
Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) CEO Albert Brunner has said that airport capacity is not measured by passengers per annum but by passengers per peak hour. “Currently, we handle an average of 24 ATMs (Air Traffic Movements) during peak hours and about 303 a day. The ATC figures estimate it to be 30 ATM an hour. This calculated in passengers …
Read More »Fuel populism killing air transportation
India, the world’s largest democracy, has a sorry record in sound and bold economic administration. Populist measures abound, and nothing is sacred or immoral in the perpetual quest to obtain and then secure the “gaddi”. Fuel pricing in India is a prime example. Officially, the “Administered Price Mechanism” was abolished in 2002, but today, the Indian government has a greater …
Read More »BIAL to raise $200 mn., eyes valuation of $2-2.5 bn
BIAL to raise $200 mn., eyes valuation of $2-2.5 bnBoby Kurian, Rajesh Unnikrishnan & Peerzada Abrar BANGALORE/MUMBAI THE operator of the newly-opened Bengaluru International Airport is seeking a valuation of up to $2.5 billion to raise about $200 million in equity to fund the second phase of the airport’s development. The valuation of Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), which sources …
Read More »Road to BIAL blocked after fatal accident
In my April article “Beware …. Pedestrians” I had highlighted the need for pedestrian safety and over-bridges. The closing line in that article was “The last thing we all want to see, is a repeat of the recent Mysore Road incident, and a major dharna blocking traffic for hours on end, on the only decent access road to the airport.” …
Read More »Hard work at BIAL results in significant improvement
On Friday, 20-June-2008, I took a flight out of BIAL airport. As my pictorial essay shows, the hard work, by the stake holders at BIAL, is showing results, in the form of significant improvements.Getting to the airport While the distance to the new airport is significant, I have always maintained that connectivity to the airport was not a major problem. …
Read More »HAL can help airlines save fuel
The high prices of ATF (Aviation Turbine Fuel) have the airlines in India in a tizzy. They are cutting back services, begging for a reduction in fuel taxes, sub-leasing their aircraft, basically, anything, which will help stop their haemorrhaging losses. Karnataka has one the highest prices of ATF in the country due to its high taxes, and faces pressure for …
Read More »Erroneous glideslope at BIA
Monday June 16 2008 Monica Jha BANGALORE: Pilots from two airlines (one domestic and one international) have reportedly complained about problems in landing using instrument landing system (ILS) at the Bengaluru International Airport. The runway (27 orientation, which is being used presently) at the new airport has a 3.4 degree glideslope for an ILS approach while the international standard for …
Read More »Big birds stare at elbow-room problem on Bangalore tarmac
ANIL BUDUR LULLA Bangalore, June 14: The glitzy airport in India’s software capital that was to have been the takeoff point for the aviation growth story remains grounded in the present. From “teething problems” like the long journey to the airport in Devanahalli, 50km from the city, the scanner has now shifted to its planning, which, airline sources said, has …
Read More »Industry supply chain leaders visit BIAL cargo complex
On Friday, 13 June 2008, I had the privilege of leading a delegation of senior supply chain managers from member companies of the Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce (BCIC) on a visit of the two cargo terminals operated by Menzies Aviation Bobba (Bangalore) and Air India Singapore Airport Terminal Services (AI-SATS) at BIAL airport. The team comprised of senior …
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