Bangalore International Airport thread [Archive] - Page 7

bgguy

March 25th, 2008, 05:19 AM

RADAR SIMULATOR YET TO BE FIXED

AAI flights develop snag at BIA

By Rasheed Kappan, DH News Service, Bangalore:

With the radar simulator not yet in place to train air traffic controllers and the calibration flights developing snags, the Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are engaged in a race against time to meet the May 11 rescheduled launch date for commercial operations at the Bengaluru International Airport.

The simulator equipment was to be installed by March 5. The deadline was extended to March 20. But till Monday, there was no indication when the critical radar simulator facility would be ready for training. “At this rate, the May 11 deadline would be ‘touch and go.’ The controllers will need at least 45 days’ training on the simulator,’” a top airport official told Deccan Herald.

Sources said the software for the radar simulator had not even reached Devanahalli. Training would be easy in a running airport, not in a simulated environment. Thus the need for 45 days, explained an airport source.

Calibration process

Meanwhile, the calibration process for various Air Traffic Control (ATC) equipment at BIA was hit after the AAI aircraft reportedly developed a snag. The Dornier aircraft had carried out several flight sorties on March 13 and 14, but the pilots left after the snag. “There are some gaps. The process will take some more time. There is also a problem of getting pilots,” said an official.

While the calibration for the Doppler High Frequency Omni Radar was completed, the process for the Instrument Landing System was pending, sources said.

Once the various ATC equipment are calibrated, they have to be switched on and kept in hot standby mode for 1,000 hours to help the personnel get adequately familiarised with the process.

Hyderabad incident

A KLM Dutch airline pilot’s difficulty in finding the new Shamshabad airport in Hyderabad on Sunday has brought the air safety issue back in sharp focus. The pilot had reportedly failed to get the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) about the closure of the old Begumpet airport and the Sunday launch of the new Shamshabad airport.

In the light of this episode, DGCA would have to make sure that it gets adequate time to issue a worldwide AIRAC-NOTAM, a standard requirement to alert pilots globally about a new permanent aeronautical facility, much before BIA becomes commercially operational.

No airport can be commissioned before this notice becomes part of the Jeppessen Chart, a very critical document mandatorily carried by pilots worldwide.
^^
Here is an update .. once again AAI is spoiling the party.

The hyderbad airport & KLM incident was classic example of how AAI works. I really doubt whether HIAL got adequate testing done on their ATC equipments. An RTI application will help in get know whether they compiled to rules or not. I feel the whole Bangalore airport fiasco is MoCA high handness and political.

jammy97

March 25th, 2008, 07:26 AM

BIA to be best guarded airport
Not just hi-tech, but also the best secured airport in the country, is what the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is aiming to become...
It is pitching to surpass the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi, which is the best guarded airport in the country.
Full article: Deccan Herald 25th March '08 (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar252008/city2008032559311.asp)

RADAR SIMULATOR YET TO BE FIXED
AAI flights develop snag at BIA
With the radar simulator not yet in place to train air traffic controllers and the calibration flights developing snags, the Airports Authority of India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation are engaged in a race against time to meet the May 11 rescheduled launch date for commercial operations at the Bengaluru International Airport.

The simulator equipment was to be installed by March 5. The deadline was extended to March 20. But till Monday, there was no indication when the critical radar simulator facility would be ready for training. “At this rate, the May 11 deadline would be ‘touch and go.’ The controllers will need at least 45 days’ training on the simulator,’” a top airport official told Deccan Herald
Full article: Deccan Herald 25th March '08 (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar252008/city2008032559309.asp)

BKC, BBMP Commissioner inspect new airport work
Engineers of Larsen and Toubro (L and T) said that about 95 per cent work of the trumpet interchange flyover loop on the road to Devanahlli is complete.
Full article: Deccan Herald 25th March '08 (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar252008/city2008032559314.asp)

View of the ATC at night (Source: DH 25th Mar '08):
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2246/2360598196_72a4e0b3a0_o.jpg

BIAL's carry bags:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2094/2360632708_97b7abeb39_o.jpg
Source: BIAL website

jammy97

March 25th, 2008, 07:36 AM

Brunner takes on BIA DETRACTORS

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2359788057_bf010761a4_o.jpg

TIMES NEWS NETWORK: 25th Mar '08

The opening of the Bengaluru International Airport may be mired in one controversy or the other. Be it the lack of good connectivity, ATC unpreparedness or the high user fee. But no one can dispute the fact that the airport, constructed in a record 33 months, is of international standard, and will meet the demand of Bangalore’s growing air traffic.

Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL, a public limited company comprising five share holders — Siemens, Larsen & Toubro, Zurich Airport, the Karnataka government and the Central government — debunked what he called some myths surrounding the project, at a meeting with editors on Monday.

Myth 1: It takes 2 to 3 hours to reach the airport.
Reality: BIAL has built roads for comfortable access into the airport terminal. Approach roads connecting the trumpet interchange and NH7 will be ready by March 30, 2008. From Bangalore east and south, the SH 104 and NH 207 are complete. BIAL has invested 10% equity in the elevated link project. (Actual experiences of some of our visitors show approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 min commute from anywhere in Bangalore).

Myth 2: Airport will be saturated in its first year of operations.
Reality: Annual figure is a wrong approach. Airports are designed for peak hour traffic. The airport has the capacity to handle much more than 12 million passengers. Its modular design allows for expansion. Final phase can accommodate 40-50 million passengers

Myth 3: The airport cannot accommodate 440 aircraft movements a day.
Reality: The airport can handle up to 30 aircraft movements per hour. In Bangalore this is only a peak hour requirement. Aircraft movement capacity depends on infrastructure (stands, RWY and TWY layout) and ATC. The presence of rapid exit ways facilitates quicker and more movement of aircraft.

Myth 4: Only 40% airspace is available to the airport and even this is not guaranteed.
Reality: The airspace design has been finalized by the DGCA in consultation with HAL ATC, Yelahanka ATC and the AAI, which will handle ATC at the BIA. The world over, air space is designed and controlled in a similar way. Unified Air Traffic Control for the defence base and BIAL is the goal.

Myth 5: Airports are moving to point-point model. Hub and spoke model is outdated.
Reality: Bangalore with its strong business market, ideal location and regional hub potential will attract more domestic airlines. BIAL is in talks with all international and a domestic airliner to ensure that the airport serves as a regional hub. India has a huge domestic market and buying power for future development. Direct flights to the US are on the horizon.

Myth 6: New York, London etc have more than two airports.
Reality: Traffic volume in Bangalore is still too small to be split. Cities that have several airports have over 100 million passemgers, compared to 10 million of Bangalore. A good international network needs a feeding domestic network. Such a transfer relation cannot be handled with two airports. Bangalore needs a single aviation platform. All successful aviation hubs in Asia have developed out of such a single platform.

Myth 7: BIAL did not meet ATC requirements.
Reality: AAI has to select, purchase, deliver and install the equipment by nature of the CNS/ATM agreement. ATC in Bangalore is currently handled by HAL. Airspace is new for AAI. The ATC tower was built after the approval of all relevant parties.

Myth 8: Costs at the new airport are much higher
Reality:
Ground handling charges: BIA is the first airport in India to create competition by introducing two professional ground handlers at the new airport. Fees is determined by the services availed. The benefits are saving in airline turnaround time and safer operations. It encourages a competitive environment in terms of service, quality and price.

Landing charges:
They are as per the current charges levied in all international airports in India. It is lower than that at the current HAL airport. BIAL could have taken into account inflation rate and increased these charges but waived the same.

These are Brunner’s views. It’s now up to those who have other facts to prove him wrong.

rkramesh

March 25th, 2008, 07:24 PM

http://www.bialairport.com/img/headers_pictures.jpg

Wonder whihc part of the airport this is in? Looks good - looks more like HIAL interiors than BIAL interiors but found it on the BIAL web site. Perhaps one of the lounges AI if not KF ?

rkramesh

March 25th, 2008, 07:33 PM

luvBlore

March 25th, 2008, 08:03 PM

barrykul

March 25th, 2008, 08:04 PM

Most of the time spent on commute is in Bluru's awful roads. Getting to Hyd expressway is where most of the time is spent, the Yelahanka exits and neighborhood is another bottleneck. Rest of the way should be quick provided we don't have parked buses/autos/sundry junk vehicles clogging up left lane. Most of the issues is with local Admin, traffic police to enforce traffic discipline. 20-30Km away from a city center is the norm everywhere in the world for airports. Local Admin must make sure that the roads to the airport are kept free flowing and clean. Visitors first impression about a place are mostly formed by this commute stretch.

Sorry to puncture Mr Brunner's stmts, he left out crucial aspects of BIAL like the architecture of the building, aesthetics and things like parking structure, access to the airport building during rush hours. Things like these are lacking in BIAL's current implementation. Indian friends and family send off is a big part of the airport scenario in India and there is no such structure to house them in BIAL, like DIAL and Mumbai have an outdoor covered lighted area or HIAL's spacious courtyard.

I want the lazy bums in AAI to move quickly and get things resolved so that BIAL opens soon. Each day is another 10s of crores loss to Bluru and India.

luvBlore

March 25th, 2008, 08:29 PM

Some more from BIAL website...

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/325/bial1qx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/562/bial2gn5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/2619/bial5eq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Desidude

March 25th, 2008, 10:09 PM

rkramesh

March 26th, 2008, 02:30 AM

Pics from the BIAL website again

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/2619/bial5eq2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Plants inside a building generally lend a soothing touch to the environ. Connection between flora in nature and the human subconscience is well known and documented by psychosomatic experts.

Of course how much they cheer one up is dependant on personal preferrences, I for one find it truly relaxing and easy on the eye - green especially natural shades is a well known pacifier in colour theraphy and interior decoration... THis is also the reason why BIAL looks like a calm cool place inside - because of the visibly green pallette used in the interiors as seen in the image above.

Also nothing can beat natural stuff ss opposed to artificial stuff - BIAL has enough natural light filtering in - it certainly needs to be maintained which is easier given that they r in a clean dust free environment.
I feel artificial plants could be used in the Baggage carousel island in the centre as it has no skylights in that area...

Greys are neutral colours which is why many businesslike interiors stick to it. The interiors of BIAL are designed to be Businesslike and calming it looks like. Plants only add to that ambience...

The contrast is highlighted when one looks at the the KF(?) sports bar which has predominantly used the red (a colour that excites) pallette for its Sports Bar - This makes for a pleasing and attractive contrast for the diff zones of the airport - like cool calm waiting zone and warm exiting(sic) bar zone seen below...

http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/325/bial1qx2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

KB335ci

March 26th, 2008, 02:37 AM

jammy97

March 26th, 2008, 05:23 AM

IA flight to Singapore will be first to take-off from BIA

By Hemanth C S, DH News Service, Bangalore (26th Mar '08) (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Mar262008/state2008032559440.asp)

The inaugural date of the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) might have been put-off by five weeks, due to delays on the Air Traffic Control (ATC) services.

But the first commercial flight to take-off from BIA’s runway would remain the same as scheduled before. The first departure from BIA will be an Indian Airlines-flight IC957 bound to Singapore, scheduled to take off at 5 am on May 11, the inaugural date of the airport. This flight to Singapore was the one that had been scheduled as the first flight to take-off from the BIA, when it was earlier scheduled to start commercial operations on March 30.

Not the best inauguration through an IA flight, but only fitting that an Indian based international carrier takes off first from the truly international airport. Hopefully it will mark a new beginning in Indian aviation.

Also note that IC957 takes off at 12:05 am everyday, not at 5am as reported. The politicians cause chaos, but sometimes the media takes the cake!

jammy97

March 26th, 2008, 05:36 AM

First pics of the interiors of "Vayu Vajra" (That's the name given to the buses plying to BIA)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2362385537_8e2d4c55ee_o.jpg

courtesy: praja_subba1

mpvp

March 26th, 2008, 06:46 AM

Brunner takes on BIA DETRACTORS

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2247/2359788057_bf010761a4_o.jpg

TIMES NEWS NETWORK: 25th Mar '08

Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL, a public limited company comprising five share holders — Siemens, Larsen & Toubro, Zurich Airport, the Karnataka government and the Central government — debunked what he called some myths surrounding the project, at a meeting with editors on Monday.

Myth 1: It takes 2 to 3 hours to reach the airport.
Reality: BIAL has built roads for comfortable access into the airport terminal. Approach roads connecting the trumpet interchange and NH7 will be ready by March 30, 2008. From Bangalore east and south, the SH 104 and NH 207 are complete. BIAL has invested 10% equity in the elevated link project. (Actual experiences of some of our visitors show approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 30 min commute from anywhere in Bangalore).

Myth 2: Airport will be saturated in its first year of operations.
Reality: Annual figure is a wrong approach. Airports are designed for peak hour traffic. The airport has the capacity to handle much more than 12 million passengers. Its modular design allows for expansion. Final phase can accommodate 40-50 million passengers

Myth 6: New York, London etc have more than two airports.
Reality: Traffic volume in Bangalore is still too small to be split. Cities that have several airports have over 100 million passemgers, compared to 10 million of Bangalore. A good international network needs a feeding domestic network. Such a transfer relation cannot be handled with two airports. Bangalore needs a single aviation platform. All successful aviation hubs in Asia have developed out of such a single platform.

These are Brunner’s views. It’s now up to those who have other facts to prove him wrong.

Jut a few words.

Myth 1:
Once the 10 million passengers hit the roads to BIAL, travel time may shoot to 2 or 3 hours during peak times. May remain a hard truth till road, metro and rail connectivity is in place few years away.

Myth 2:
In 2005, BIAL estimates projected 10.1 million passengers by 2010 and 11.3 million in 2015. Whereas in reality it is expected to touch 13 million by march 2008, this year itself. Many airlines prepare for new and augmenting flights to BIAL once opens. Whether BIAL can handle such unprecedented passenger traffic growth without airport congestions is not mentioned.

Myth 6:
India and China are the two big countries in Asia with potential for huge domestic traffic. Major airport hubs in Asia are located at smaller countries like Singapore, Hongkong, Dubai primarily targetting international passengers. Hence seeing these Asian hub airports with those in India may not be apple to apple comparison. Whether two airports needed or not is debatable in Indian context.

sathya_226

March 26th, 2008, 06:52 AM

Friends , I was trying to find out some red plant pots out ther in some corners of the airports (Typical and strange Indian Style , Eg delhi metro) Luckly there seems to be none! Good job HIAL, This time you ppl have shown some real sense by making the surrounding aesthetic and sleek!
Cheers!!

world1

March 26th, 2008, 07:18 AM

First pics of the interiors of "Vayu Vajra" (That's the name given to the buses plying to BIA)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2090/2362385537_8e2d4c55ee_o.jpg

courtesy: praja_subba1

looks kinda good from inside!!!! im sure it will be veery useful.:)
but still i have 1 doubt.......how will these buses go thru that underpass like the cauvery one?? it'l be dificult tough!!:)

world1

March 26th, 2008, 08:31 AM

i just turned 16 today!! :banana::cheers:im very happy!!! well....... my njoing days r coming 2 an end!:)

KB335ci

March 26th, 2008, 08:35 AM

Happy Birthday
:dance:

purapagal

March 26th, 2008, 11:42 AM

Jut a few words.

Myth 1:
Once the 10 million passengers hit the roads to BIAL, travel time may shoot to 2 or 3 hours during peak times. May remain a hard truth till road, metro and rail connectivity is in place few years away.

Myth 2:
In 2005, BIAL estimates projected 10.1 million passengers by 2010 and 11.3 million in 2015. Whereas in reality it is expected to touch 13 million by march 2008, this year itself. Many airlines prepare for new and augmenting flights to BIAL once opens. Whether BIAL can handle such unprecedented passenger traffic growth without airport congestions is not mentioned.

Myth 6:
India and China are the two big countries in Asia with potential for huge domestic traffic. Major airport hubs in Asia are located at smaller countries like Singapore, Hongkong, Dubai primarily targetting international passengers. Hence seeing these Asian hub airports with those in India may not be apple to apple comparison. Whether two airports needed or not is debatable in Indian context.

:bash: 10 million passengers will not be going to the airport at the same time :bash:
I don't think there is any road/rail system to handle 10 mil at the same time. BIAL is expected to have around 400 aircraft movements at peak hours. Somebody please calculate using standard equation as to what the traffic will be.

purapagal

March 26th, 2008, 11:43 AM

looks kinda good from inside!!!! im sure it will be veery useful.:)
but still i have 1 doubt.......how will these buses go thru that underpass like the cauvery one?? it'l be dificult tough!!:)

Airport traffic will be going over the Cauvery underpass. But remember these underpasses allow Bangalore city buses and Volvol buses are of almost same height.

rkramesh

March 26th, 2008, 02:34 PM

Great pictures. This is a slight meander from the topic at hand but you guys should check this out. It's a wall system (mostly) conceived by French designer Patrick Blanc. This is a NON-STRUCTURAL system, before anybody asks that question. Apparently, the French embassy in Delhi has a 'living wall' installation. It's been well-used by Architects and designers worldwide.

http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/

Very Nice site KB, I too feel this is an excellent idea for BIAL given it's garden city airport leanings - also living walls are a feature used to good effect in Singapore Changi's new T3...

Many Happy Returns of the day world1 :)

mhp

March 26th, 2008, 04:56 PM

Illusionist

March 26th, 2008, 04:59 PM

i just turned 16 today!! :banana::cheers:im very happy!!! well....... my njoing days r coming 2 an end!:)

happy birthday man...
damn you are young...

phaedrus

March 26th, 2008, 05:12 PM

i just turned 16 today!! :banana::cheers:im very happy!!! well....... my njoing days r coming 2 an end!:)

happy birthday dude
:cheers1: ...oh wait you cant leagally drink!!

mashimama

March 27th, 2008, 06:55 PM

having been part of the Bangalore/Karnataka political activity for a short while before migrating, my opinion is that party politics is playing a significant role in the roadblocks for BIAL. Consider this:

1. BIAL has had to deal with three different goverments, each one of a different "color". OTOH, HIAL had to deal with just the Congress. it does make a difference.

2. BIAL appears to be un-affiliated, by design or by choice. i mean they are not patrons nor patronized by Cong, BJP, JD whatever... Given the political climate in India, that is a tough situation. OTOH, GMR family has been close and still does enjoy the attention of the Cong/Gandhi/Reddy combine.

3. AAI for all the transparency of a government agency, is not devoid of political influence. with a cong govt at the center, implicitly there is the "jee huzur" mentality within the agency to please the political masters, even if HighCommand did not explicitly ask for it. i know of this first hand... that is how govt works, and the babu's keep their jobs... BIAL con only influence only so much, not derive an advantage.

Karnataka now has this central rule with a puppet Guv, may be this is the silver lining. things could be better than it was duirng the Cong-in-center, BJP/JD*-in-state. let us hope so...

4.

^^
Here is an update .. once again AAI is spoiling the party.

The hyderbad airport & KLM incident was classic example of how AAI works. I really doubt whether HIAL got adequate testing done on their ATC equipments. An RTI application will help in get know whether they compiled to rules or not. I feel the whole Bangalore airport fiasco is MoCA high handness and political.

rkramesh

March 27th, 2008, 07:41 PM

Wonder how much space BIAL has given for the visitors space in the airport. HIAL has a conveient airport village...
http://lh3.google.com/vssnrao/R-pzhg_CiwI/AAAAAAAAJ3c/qIWl3SRQRnY/s144/gmarhttp://lh5.google.com/vssnrao/R-pzWA_CisI/AAAAAAAAJ24/Vt3GIa4t1V4/s144/gmarCourtesy this link (http://picasaweb.google.com/vssnrao/ShamshabadIntlAirport)
Observed the traffic parked here on both the ramps - departure and arrival of HIAL - makes me feel apprehensive that BIAL with it's single road might be more choc-a-bloc when it's doors open to the public...also with 2 parallel lanes, it might mean a lot of pedestrian traffic obstructing the smooth flow of vehicular traffic at the drop off/pick up points...

barrykul

March 28th, 2008, 01:33 AM

Picture of Kingfisher stuck on runway after hitting a dog in Bluru

http://www.deccanherald.com/UserFiles/DHGallery/Mar282008/index_gall.jpg

CapeComorin

March 28th, 2008, 04:52 AM

Greetings, this a great forum to find out about BIAL. I'm particularly impressed with the pictures posted.

I'd also like to make a few observations:

1. I love the design of BLR. HIAL will date quickly, and looks like any other 80's airport. BIAL is unique, and the green and granite interior is slick. Give it a month, and when you posters have visited both airports, you will see that BIAL is better and cooler - just like Bangalore!

2. The aerobridges are just right, with glass in the static part of the bridge. I've been to most major airports and this is really a minor issue. Hopefully HSBC wont plaster its ads on the bridges like at Heathrow and JFK.

3. The baggage carousels are fine. It's a lot easier to pick up your bags from a flat belt (AMS) than a slanted belt because bags can get stuck up high and become hard to reach.

4. Brunner should be given an award come Republic Day for his patience and persistence in making BIAL a reality, despite the near insurmountable obstacles that even got Narayanmurthy fed up.

5. The PPP arrangement means that airports have to be self sustaining, hence the user fee. If you want a world-class airport, it has to be paid for. Hopefully the load will be shifted more towards international and premium passengers - its only twenty five dollars, after all.

What I don't like -

1. Not enough Aerobridges at Indian airports. The problem is, a fun bus ride for a healthy adult can be torture for older or handicapped people trying to board a plane. BIAL has only 9 bridges for a peak 27 movements per hour. Given that each aircraft spends about 50 minutes (load and unload) per bridge, you would need 25 bridges to make it an all-bridge airport.

2. You do really need a two-level access road seperating Arrivals and Departures, given the large entourage common to Indian welcomes and farewells! But I will wait and see how it works out.

3. Finally, as beautiful (to my eyes) as the airport is, there are ugly PWD- style buildings right next to the ATC tower, straight out of the 70's. What an eyesore.

4. The PR machine at BIAL could have done a much better job building buzz and exploiting the website as a communication tool (better photos and videos, for example).

In closing, BIAL is a remarkable achievement given the many political obstacles and special interests that stood in the way. Hats off to Herr Brunner for creating something so very special and unique for Bangalore.

The lesson from all this is that native Bangaloreans who so want to be world- class need to be more vocal in getting better and more accountable local government. It was leadership and vision that made Bangalore a jewel of a city, and that kind of vision is needed now more than ever.

Thanks for reading. :)

jammy97

March 28th, 2008, 06:21 AM

Wonder how much space BIAL has given for the visitors space in the airport. HIAL has a conveient airport village...

Observed the traffic parked here on both the ramps - departure and arrival of HIAL - makes me feel apprehensive that BIAL with it's single road might be more choc-a-bloc when it's doors open to the public...also with 2 parallel lanes, it might mean a lot of pedestrian traffic obstructing the smooth flow of vehicular traffic at the drop off/pick up points...

There have been concerns about the departure ramps with overcrowding even in HIAL (See this link (http://www.hindu.com/2008/03/26/stories/2008032657670800.htm)). It all comes down to traffic management and cooperation by the ramp users.

With BIAL, traffic mgt will be the key, with only one level entry. Luckily for BIAL, the car parking is not too far from the entrance (unlike in HIAL). So, hopefully most people will park their cars instead of dropping of people until the entrance.

Also, now with the merger of KF and Deccan (more of acquisition, really) wonder what will be prompting Capt. Gopinath to ask for HAL airport to be open. Mallya would definitely want BIAL b'cos of the lounge,sports bar,international ventures,hub etc. He would obviously want the domestic-international passenger transfer (or vice versa) to take place under one roof.

world1

March 28th, 2008, 07:16 AM

hi capecomorin! welcome 2 ssc.:banana::cheers:
u r the only one who is so positive!! i thank u for that. here evey1 is always taking negative points. those r very good pints:)

world1

March 28th, 2008, 07:18 AM

ok now...... who will be the first to be at the airport. im going there at 15th may....!
any1 going there b4 me?

harsh1802

March 28th, 2008, 07:28 AM

hi capecomorin! welcome 2 ssc.:banana::cheers:
u r the only one who is so positive!! i thank u for that. here evey1 is always taking negative points. those r very good pints:)

:blahblah:

world1

March 28th, 2008, 08:25 AM

^^:bash::blahblah:

p2p4

March 28th, 2008, 11:12 AM

Is it me alone in thinking that the single decker buses from Volvo have more luggage space than passenger seats?

I did a quick google search on 'Vayu Vajra' and I got to see a picture of this bus. http://www.thepicky.com/popular/vayu-vajra-bangalore-international-airport-shuttle-buses/

A rough estimate from the look of the exterior and the interior suggest that this bus could carry approx 24 passengers ONLY. With the huge distance to cover from the city to the airport, I would have guessed a double decker would have sufficed (which has a higher passengery carrying capacity on the upper deck and higher load carrying cap. on the lower deck).

Somebody please prove me wrong in my suppositions but pray tell.. when you can foresee a huge number of pax travelling to and fro, does not a higher capacity bus necessitated?

(positive debates are welcome)

Cheers
P2P4
looks kinda good from inside!!!! im sure it will be veery useful.:)
but still i have 1 doubt.......how will these buses go thru that underpass like the cauvery one?? it'l be dificult tough!!:)

jammy97

March 28th, 2008, 12:45 PM

p2p4,

Usually buses to airport have a lot of carrying capacity. I remember in Melbourne (Aus), they have exactly the same kind of buses (called as skybus). The only difference is the company - Bangalore uses Volvo and Melbourne uses Scannia buses.

Its good to see low floor buses being used. It seems like BMTC have done their homework with respect to how these buses are meant to be.

GHIAL's aerobus seems good, but its difficult to climb into those kind of buses with handbaggage and young children in prams. Although you can load most of the luggage at the back, it consumes lot of time for loading/unloading

rkramesh

March 28th, 2008, 03:17 PM

Yes Vajras will certainly be more comfortable to use than the HIAL's Aeroexpress because of the folowing reasons:
- Low floor
- Reassurance of seeing the luggage in front of you so better feeling of security - I can see people waking in at the subsequent stops and therefore not feel unsettled that bags might get stolen at subsequent stops if below floor and out of view
- Volvo's will be more comfy less noise than the HIAL Aeroexpress types
- Fab paint scheme and best looking city buses in India - so smarten up the airport parking lot and give a more up market image to the airport

The flip side is:
- Lower passenger capcity as half the passenger floor space is taken by luggage therefore more trips and capacity constraints during rush hour - it wont even fill up a quarter of a single A320s capacity per trip...
- Less passengers/ bus and more expensive bus means higher ticket costs...
- From a safety point of view luggage better underfloor in case of a crash - wont get flung onto passengers (given Vayu Vajra's design wont be too bad a prob except for a high speed rear end shunt)
- Tidy passenger cabin with no multicoloured, un uniform, and haphazard stashed luggage visible.

Vovlos are more comfy and desirable but HIAL's Aeroexpress might be more functional and practical - Wonder if the AL buses BMTC procured are like the HIAL Aerobuses...
Any pic's of those anyone?

Welcome to SSC Cape Comorin...
Interesting observations there - looks like you have been following the thread...
To respond to your points
- Looks are subjective and yes the though did cross my mind that HIAL design might age faster but it is very contemporary and so can never look 80s but a turn of the century design. BIAL is a conservative design which is functional - as far as prefs are concerned it is horses for courses...

- I still prefer all glass aerobridges - photo opportunities, light , modern but not a major issue - more than minor for a photographer passenger though...
We could deffinately do with more of them like u said - maybe when BIAL has some funds flowing in later?...

- Yes flat BIAL baggage carousels can be easier to pull luggage off coz they dont have a shoulder but tilted ones are safer - baggage wont fall off or risk hurting ones legs or knees if baggage overhangs the edge. To pick up heavy stuff from both requires a unique knack (tilted ones come with a shoulder see) in each case and one need not be more difficult than the other. For lighter stuff tilted is more ergonomically convenient in my experience...

- I too feel Mr. Brunner has been really committed given the challenging bureaucratic and political hurdles he faced - but i feel he could have been less conservative with the main and especially ancillary buildings design like ATC ones as u mentioned...

- It is be intruiging to see how they handle car traffic at the pick up / drop off areas - it can be effective if coordinated well

- for effective PR they need to have ready what they are selling - especially with a more posh looking HIAL (BIAL could still spring a pleasant surprise here with the interiors) up and running it looks like they are being measured and careful in what they say to avoid a backlash.

- We certainly need to push especially the Govt and even the private parties to be more accountable especially for such public utilities.

Thanks for your constructive observations...

here evey1 is always taking negative points. those r very good pints:)

I can understand where you are coming from world1 but if you look below the surface most here are constructively critical rather than negative which is a disempowering trait. I feel most people are largely happy with the airport as i am too, but dissappointed with the details which can soon get sorted out given the effort by BIAL and the Govt.

We need to be both positive AND effective in building up peoples momentum to get the Govt. and other machienery functioning in the best possible way. And being constructively critical and expressing our aspiration does this - which is what i think such forums help do - which is all what we are doing in this forum too.

So we actually have a good thing going bud...

Cheers ! :cheers:

mailabode

March 28th, 2008, 04:46 PM

Hi Ramesh,
- I think the flat carousel picture we saw somewhere on this blog is not for passenger use. I too made the mistake of thinking so, but another blogger had rightly pointed out that it does not seem to be a passenger user area. Probably a backend feature.
- There could be a few glass aerobridges at startup- i remember seeing one in one of the pics. And yes when their coffers start filling they can do more glass ones.
- If there's a separate bus lane for just public transport, then they can have as many buses as possible. I hope someone tells the BRTC and Government about having a separate lane. There could also be other buses using the lane for people willing to travel a bit more rough. But i do agree fully with you that its a huge disadvantage in terms of utility. The internal design of the bus i saw here is the same as in Heathrow airport service buses- but then them buses arent full usually since theres also the tube and trains. They should have stoppers at luggage platform ends to prevent luggage falling off(oops they already do have them!). Further having luggage lie on metal platforms will cause noise- they should have had a platform lined with plastic and fabric maybe. In the current system and if the bus is crowded there is a chance someone could tamper with your luggage and hide something inside landing you in trouble.
I think what should have been is a bus with same comfort, full with seats, and a large and tall enough space covering the entire width and reasonable length below the passenger floor for luggage - which can be accessed only by the driver from the outside - which also prevents theft(if there are too many stops dont know if this can be an option).
A/C buses are very good specially for long haul travellers who would not want to start getting very sweaty even before boarding the flight- improves flight comfort.
- Regarding PR i feel its maybe good for them to keep a low profile for now and concentrate only on their job, for it might simply invite a barrage of distracting criticism.
Thanks.

Yes Vajras will certainly be more comfortable to use than the HIAL's Aeroexpress because of the folowing reasons:
- Low floor
- Reassurance of seeing the luggage in front of you so better feeling of security - I can see people waking in at the subsequent stops and therefore not feel unsettled that bags might get stolen at subsequent stops if below floor and out of view
- Volvo's will be more comfy less noise than the HIAL Aeroexpress types
- Fab paint scheme and best looking city buses in India - so smarten up the airport parking lot and give a more up market image to the airport

The flip side is:
- Lower passenger capcity as half the passenger floor space is taken by luggage therefore more trips and capacity constraints during rush hour - it wont even fill up a quarter of a single A320s capacity per trip...
- Less passengers/ bus and more expensive bus means higher ticket costs...
- From a safety point of view luggage better underfloor in case of a crash - wont get flung onto passengers (given Vayu Vajra's design wont be too bad a prob except for a high speed rear end shunt)
- Tidy passenger cabin with no multicoloured, un uniform, and haphazard stashed luggage visible.

Vovlos are more comfy and desirable but HIAL's Aeroexpress might be more functional and practical - Wonder if the AL buses BMTC procured are like the HIAL Aerobuses...
Any pic's of those anyone?

Welcome to SSC Cape Comorin...
.....

CapeComorin

March 29th, 2008, 02:22 AM

Welcome to SSC Cape Comorin...
Interesting observations there - looks like you have been following the thread...
...

- We certainly need to push especially the Govt and even the private parties to be more accountable especially for such public utilities.

Thanks for your constructive observations...

Cheers !

Thank you kindly! It's exciting to be able to follow this project from the other side of the world, and to feel the civic-minded fervor on this thread! I'm looking forward to flying in this Summer - hopefully the magic boxes etc will be in place. Great to see India moving forward.

mailabode

March 29th, 2008, 02:41 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7314816.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7317352.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7319679.stm

Chaos could happen sometimes at even one of the best managed airports in the world

mailabode

March 29th, 2008, 02:59 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7287161.stm

Thought this can be something that can be compared with since we will be having many new airports soon.

bhargavsura

March 29th, 2008, 03:37 AM

^^^^

Something like that will take at least 20 years or more... I dont see it coming in the near future!

mailabode

March 29th, 2008, 05:35 AM

p2p4

March 29th, 2008, 06:32 AM

[QUOTE=rkramesh;19300800]
- Lower passenger capcity as half the passenger floor space is taken by luggage therefore more trips and capacity constraints during rush hour - it wont even fill up a quarter of a single A320s capacity per trip...
- Less passengers/ bus and more expensive bus means higher ticket costs...
- From a safety point of view luggage better underfloor in case of a crash - wont get flung onto passengers (given Vayu Vajra's design wont be too bad a prob except for a high speed rear end shunt)

Rkramesh - Exactly the point I was trying to make . To sum it up, I find the bus' space being allocated in a 50/50% for luggage and pax respectively. Wherein, in most other countries where such buses are used, they have more seating area and maybe one or a total of 1-1.5 cubic meters of luggage rack space.
With such low pax carrying capacity I wonder how in the world they are going to make this a profitable project.

Cheers
P2P4

krinix

March 29th, 2008, 08:40 AM

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/7287161.stm

Thought this can be something that can be compared with since we will be having many new airports soon.

Since u brought this to notice.
Here is another peice from BBC.

Passengers at Heathrow's new Terminal 5 face disruption for the third day running, with flight cancellations due to continue through the weekend.

Read more below

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7319994.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7317797.stm

Airport opening (Extension) is no easier task.

luvBlore

March 29th, 2008, 12:39 PM

Since u brought this to notice.
Here is another peice from BBC.

......

Can we keep this thread to BIAL please.....

krinix

March 29th, 2008, 01:10 PM

Can we keep this thread to BIAL please.....

That piece was in reference to late opening and hassles faced by our very own BIAL.
I think i have clearly mentioned, airport opening is not easy task.
May be you missed it LuvBlore.

genialgiant

March 30th, 2008, 03:58 AM

Airport opening hits air pocket
Poll Code Of Conduct May Push Inauguration Beyond May 11
Anshul Dhamija | TNN

Bangalore: Polls could be the spoiler this time. As the Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli dresses itself up for the revised inauguration date of May 11, uncertainty hangs threateningly low. With assembly elections likely to be held in May, the code of conduct for political parties could kick in anytime soon, either delaying the airport inauguration or stripping the event of its pomp.
According to top civil aviation ministry officials, under the electoral code of conduct, BIA would be allowed to have an informal opening minus the gala function. This clearly forbids any politician from participating in the inauguration. Top Karnataka government officials confirmed this. Senior BIAL officials told STOI the assessment of whether there’s to be a function or not will be based on the “collective decision” taken by BIAL and the civil aviation ministry.
Now comes the question: will the Rs 2,500-crore greenfield airport open on May 11? Not likely. The airport may take off only after the elections are over. A delay of two months is no big surprise.
The run-up to the opening of Hyderabad airport, which shared a symbiotic construction relationship with the Bangalore one, saw a lot of fanfare. A similar gala event in Bangalore is, therefore, only to be expected. Both BIA and Hyderabad airport are the first mega greenfield international airports developed under public-private partnership. Sources said all eyes are now on the whip that will be issued from New Delhi. Sources close to top BIAL officials said the senior management of the new airport has resigned to the fact that the opening date depends entirely on political compulsions and pressures.
STOI had earlier reported that the Centre’s directive of asking the BIA to choose an opening date post May 10 would directly coincide with assembly poll calendar. Any further postponement would give the governor’s cabinet, which’s holding the administrative reins in the power vacuum that prevails now, ample time to finetune the infrastructure apparatus.
Poor connectivity and high costs that people would have to endure with the opening of the new airport seem to have put political parties, especially the Congress, on the backfoot. Sources said the Congress high command is cued into the developments and is in touch with the civil aviation minister.
Even in Hyderabad, a political game was played out in the airport opening. The scheduled opening date — April 16 — was pushed to April 22 expecting Parliament to go into recess. With this, the government steered clear of Left or the opposition barbs.

The Times of India

krinix

March 30th, 2008, 05:52 AM

ajithv

March 30th, 2008, 08:49 AM

BANGALORE: The dog-hit at HAL Airport should serve as a wake-up call for Bangalore International Airport Limited, as the surroundings of Devanahalli, where the new airport is situated, are home to many dangerous animals and reptiles.

An environment assessment report on flora and fauna of Devanahalli, prepared by the Indian Institute of Science in mid-2007, says jackals, pangolins, snakes, monitor lizards, jungle cats, mongooses and a variety of avi-fauna live in and around Devanahalli. The report on reptiles of Devanahalli has recorded 21 snake species in and around the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA).

"Construction labourers who worked at the new airport have identified different species of snakes around BIA. We showed them photos of snakes for identification. The area was also thoroughly surveyed before the report was drafted," reptile conservationist Anees Mohammad, who was in charge of the reptile section of the report, told the Sunday Times of India.

The report has identified many points in the BIA where wildlife could sneak in or cross the runway. "We have to accept that snakes cannot be completely taken away from their habitat. But their numbers can be reduced by creating an unfriendly environment. BIAL must look at areas like the cargo section and runway stretch. A wall running parallel to the runway is a possible point for entry of snakes. The report had suggestions on reptile management and creating snake hideouts," Anees added.

Though the BIA is taking action to prevent wildlife from sneaking on to the runway or airport premises, Devanahalli's surroundings harbour a large number of pangolins, which cannot be stopped by walls or barriers.

"Pangolins can dig their way through the ground and pop up anywhere inside the airport. Jackals, too, are found around Devanahalli." said Sharath Babu, BBMP environmental adviser, adding that the international airport has no wildlife specialist to tackle such issues.

Snakes in Jakkur too

Three years ago, two spectacled cobras were rescued from aircraft parked at Jakkur airfield on Bellary Road. One of the cobras was found in the wheel of a four-seater aircraft, while the other was caught inside a helicopter.

Why do snakes come on to the runway?

There is little human activity on runways. Snakes, who avoid humans and other animals, crawl on to runways when attacked by predators.

Catch a snake and pocket Rs 50!

Apart from gunmen, who often scare away kites flying over the HAL Airport runway, two specialist snake-catchers are on duty alongside the runway and at areas vulnerable to snakes. They are paid Rs 50 for every snake caught. Reptile biologists say snakes rescued at the HAL Airport are not translocated elsewhere.

A suggestion on reptile management

The BIA could deploy trained sniffer dogs to identify reptile movement in the airport. Many airports in Western countries have adopted such dogs to keep a check on snakes, said Anees Mohammad.

Source : Times of India

mailabode

March 30th, 2008, 10:10 AM

The airport will solve its problems gradually- they have enough time now. As i had said in previous posts on this page- even the usually efficient Heathrow had chaos and still has in the newly opened highly sophisticated Terminal 5- partly because different groups with conflicts of interest and different affiliations were in charge of different tasks at the airport(and other problems that emanated from politics). In such situations its best they are allowed to resolve themselves, with safety measures to cope with such incidences in the interim. But whatever is examined should be examined in its right context.
When planes start operating the reptiles will leave the place due to the vibrations and its no more habitable for them(if there are so many as you say). There could be initial problems due to the reptiles and other animals due to the confusion and fear caused by the sudden intense activity when the airport opens and the airport should be ready for that. Managing where these reptiles and anmals go is the job of the government (and i dont think they care), but i believe there is no system in place to deal with such things in our country- and i hope they dont move into human habited areas.
As far as the airport is concerned a perimeter around the airport needs to be cleared of stray dogs, foxes or other intrusive animals. And i am not sure how complicated our bureaucracy will make this.

BANGALORE:
......
Source : Times of India

bgguy

March 30th, 2008, 03:56 PM

mailabode

March 31st, 2008, 12:48 AM

bhargavsura

March 31st, 2008, 04:37 AM

Hope All the connectivity issues are sorted out by the time it opens out.

I read on TOI, that few snakes were sneaking into the airport .
As most of the bangaloreans will know, Bangalore was once a paradise for various snakes, with all those lakes that existed once.

ARe you serious, snakes on airport??? :(

krinix

March 31st, 2008, 04:43 AM

ARe you serious, snakes on airport??? :(

yeah, would make a good sequel to snakes on a plane.:nuts:

bhargavsura

March 31st, 2008, 04:47 AM

Man...

how would snake enter the runway areas of the airport?

KB335ci

March 31st, 2008, 04:52 AM

^^^^

OH FO YAAAR!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Yeh kaisa prashna hua, Bhargav-ji????? :nuts:

:ohno:

mailabode

March 31st, 2008, 05:40 AM

Suncity

March 31st, 2008, 06:27 AM

BANGALORE: The dog-hit at HAL Airport should serve as a wake-up call for Bangalore International Airport Limited, as the surroundings of Devanahalli, where the new airport is situated, are home to many dangerous animals and reptiles. Source : Times of India

Bless the TOI for presenting us with such brilliant news articles.

:cheers:

p2p4

March 31st, 2008, 06:27 AM

Snakes like cool air travel and they wiggle and crawl their way through the airport perimeter walls and take great pains to make a success out of their adventures. Once inside, they just coil up and enjoy the new surroundings.

Next, don't be surprised if KF or AI have snake charmers with their 'beens' to entertain the serpentine passengers ... they do need inflight entertainment too doncha think? :bash::bash:

Methinks it would be a good idea to have some trained snakes on board instead of air-marshals. That way, all the brash and hegemoneous passengers that demand too much from the crew, could for once, just shit (sic) up in their seats and be silent.:banana::banana::banana::nuts:

Cheers with Monday Morning Blues,:ohno::ohno:
p2p4

Man...

how would snake enter the runway areas of the airport?

jammy97

March 31st, 2008, 08:28 AM

According to this news report, BIAL is gearing up for an extra 30 aircraft stands (now equalling 72 aircraft stands) apart from the terminal expansion and another runway.

http://videos.oneindia.in/watch/4412/bangalore-international-airport-poised-take.html (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1531145427736552380&q=BIAL+airport&total=5&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3)

More snakes set to lose their home!!:doh:

world1

March 31st, 2008, 09:01 AM

WOW!!!! thts gr8 news.......but looks like news was kinda old i think, coz the reporter was tellin the airport would open on 30th march!

jammy97

March 31st, 2008, 09:18 AM

WOW!!!! thts gr8 news.......but looks like news was kinda old i think, coz the reporter was tellin the airport would open on 30th march!

^^ Yes, BIAL kept assuring the public that it would inaugurate the airport on time. But, on March 10th or 11th, they received the letter from the centre and decided to inaugurate the airport on May11. Thats why, if you notice the BIAL website for the press releases, they have two press releases on the same day (March 11) - one saying the launch date as Mar 31 and the other changed to May11.

This video news report was taken in the beginning of this month (probably before March10). BIAL started expansion just this month, because we had not heard of the details of the expansion.

world1

March 31st, 2008, 09:56 AM

yeah........even i did not hear this news of expansion. another 30 stands thts cool and they have already started construction......thts good news

sammyk

March 31st, 2008, 04:54 PM

WOW!!!! thts gr8 news.......but looks like news was kinda old i think, coz the reporter was tellin the airport would open on 30th march!

Stands are nothing to get excited about really. It's just a big concrete pad for airplanes to park on.

jammy97

March 31st, 2008, 07:56 PM

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad will not be operational for commercial use for the next 25 years, a top civil aviation ministry official said here Monday. The government reached agreement earlier with the new airport developers that no other airport would carry out commercial operations in these cities for 25 years.

“Going by the agreement, we cannot permit existing old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad to continue their commercial activities. Instead, these airports are permitted to conduct general aviation, like chartered operations,” he said.

The official added that it would be against the contractual obligation if the government permitted commercial operations at existing airports. Over 500 more chartered aircrafts would fly in India in the next five years, he said.

There has been much hue and cry over the closure of the existing old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad not only by people but also by the employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The AAI employees even went on a strike earlier this month. But the government expressed its inability to go against the contract with the airport developers.

Source: ThaiIndian: 1st April 2008 (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/no-commercial-operations-at-old-bangalore-hyderabad-airports_10033195.html)

mhp

March 31st, 2008, 08:13 PM

yeah, would make a good sequel to snakes on a plane.:nuts:

good one krinix!! :lol::lol::lol:

mashimama

April 1st, 2008, 06:35 PM

However, a compromise could be:

(1) allow general aviation (chartered etc) like mentioned here
(2) allow short hop, small capacity aircraft that are non-competitive with the commercial operations in new airports. e.g Dornier's operating between HAL and Mysore, Hubli, Hassan, Mangalore etc.
(3) allow commercial flights to/from destinations that take less time to fly than to travel to the new airports. eg. HAL to Chennai, Hyd, etc. the condition on the airlines should be to make these rerutn flights, rather than continuing flights to further desitnations. eg. HAL <-> MAS, not HAL -> MAS -> KOL -> DEL. of course, the big league operators will have to make major logistics changes, though.

hope someone in DCCA or the ministry picks this up...

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad will not be operational for commercial use for the next 25 years, a top civil aviation ministry official said here Monday. The government reached agreement earlier with the new airport developers that no other airport would carry out commercial operations in these cities for 25 years.

“Going by the agreement, we cannot permit existing old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad to continue their commercial activities. Instead, these airports are permitted to conduct general aviation, like chartered operations,” he said.

The official added that it would be against the contractual obligation if the government permitted commercial operations at existing airports. Over 500 more chartered aircrafts would fly in India in the next five years, he said.

There has been much hue and cry over the closure of the existing old airports at Bangalore and Hyderabad not only by people but also by the employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI).

The AAI employees even went on a strike earlier this month. But the government expressed its inability to go against the contract with the airport developers.

Source: ThaiIndian: 1st April 2008 (http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/business/no-commercial-operations-at-old-bangalore-hyderabad-airports_10033195.html)

gradybush

April 2nd, 2008, 01:20 AM

^^
you mean HAL - MAA ?

mashimama

April 2nd, 2008, 05:10 AM

yes. my bad!

mashimama

April 2nd, 2008, 10:25 PM

http://us.rediff.com/money/2008/apr/02bangalore.htm

indeglow1

April 3rd, 2008, 02:57 AM

Nice airport and amsterplan looks quite impressive.No comparison with the shack they have now( or atleast had in 2000 when I last visited).Dont know why so many people are whining.If you want better facilities may also want to get used to longer commute.That said the city need to work on better transportation facilities to the airport be it highespeed rail or a freeway.

mailabode

April 3rd, 2008, 12:49 PM

Article from Deccan Herald web ediction, Nov 30, 2007
( http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov302007/realty2007112938469.asp ).

Best example for airport readiness

The UK airport sector, that as a whole employs more than 1,00,000 people, and operates the largest air transport system in Europe, is gearing up to have the worlds finest airport facilities by the next Olympic Games, finds out Achal Narayanan.

Thousands of people flying into London for the 2012 Olympic Games will be greeted by what is virtually a new airport. By then, the Olympians and most of the 67 million passengers a year that have turned London Heathrow into the world’s busiest international aero gateway, will travel through new terminals.

The largest of the UK capital’s three major airports, with a workforce of 68,000 — Heathrow was opened in 1946 and is today regarded as the hub of the aviation world. With four terminals, about 90 airlines have made the airport their base with more than 4,69,000 flights a year serving about 185 destinations all over the world.

Heathrow also handles 1.3 million tonnes of cargo a year, and similar to London’s Gatwick and Stansted airports, is owned and operated by BAA, formerly known as the British Airports Authority—that now claims to be the globe’s leading airport company.

After more than 60 years of service and ever-increasing growth by airlines and passengers, BAA says Heathrow is now ready for a new era and the changes needed to equip it for 21st century air travel. It will, for instance, be one of the airports to handle the new generation of super jumbo jets, the 550-seat A380 European Airbus.

World-class talent

The UK airport sector as a whole employs more than 100,000 people, operates the largest air transport system in Europe, achieves more revenue per passenger than any other country and boasts of innovative, world-class talent in design, project management, construction, security, operation and maintenance.

It is no surprise that UK expertise is at the heart of the world’s most prestigious airport projects—from Australia to China, Spain to Hong Kong, Canada to Malaysia, and Germany to the United States.

Designers, architects and engineers from companies such as Halcrow, Lagan Construction, Menzies Aviation, Arup and Vector Management, are enabling operators around the globe to add capacity through ground-breaking expansion and greenfield projects. Scientists and information technology specialists from firms including QinetiQ and Smiths Detection are developing advanced systems to deal with ever changing security threats.

UK companies have been chosen as major contributors to projects such as the world’s largest new airport, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), to Beijing’s technologically advanced Terminal 3 and to beacon-building projects in emerging markets such as India and China.

The first glimpse of the new London Heathrow will be seen when the huge Terminal 5 (T5 for short) opens at the end of March 2008 and passengers start to experience what BAA claims will be “one of the world’s finest airport facilities.” Before this, 15,000 volunteers are taking part in six months of trials to prove its ability to meet the needs of mass air travel.

Upgradation plans

The spokesman added that the T5 development becomes the first step in BAA’s plans to upgrade and modernise the whole of Heathrow.

“By 2012, in time to welcome the world’s Olympians to London, we will have either rebuilt or redeveloped each of the existing terminals to provide modern facilities across the entire airport and complete Heathrow’s transformation into a world-class airport hub.”

Terminal 5 is one of Europe’s largest and most complex construction projects, bringing together 16 major projects and 147 sub-projects. An industry expert said, “Lauded by many as a template for major construction projects of the future, Terminal 5 has pushed the boundaries of traditional construction by harnessing innovation and best practice from other industries and translating it into mainstream construction management.

This work encompasses a multitude of construction-related skills, including civil engineering, building, highway engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering, tunnelling, railway engineering, specialist systems technology and project logistics management.”

The main T5 terminal building is big enough to fit 50 football pitches on its five above-ground floors, and will have its own six-platform underground railway station. In addition, there will be two satellite buildings, one of which will open with the main building in 2008 and the second in 2010. The complex will be served by a new air traffic control tower, multistorey parking for 4,000 cars, a bus and coach station, and a 600-bed hotel.

The project has also involved the diversion of two rivers and the construction of 13 kilometres of bored tunnel, including extensions to underground rail services that will link the airport to other parts of London.

As the first of Heathrow’s terminals of the future, T5 will set the scene for the transformation of its four existing terminals. It will also herald the first commercial trial of an innovative personal rapid transport system that will replace traditional buses and coaches by allowing passengers to travel between T5’s business car park and main terminal building in driverless pods that are powered by electricity, produce no local emissions and are much more energy efficient than buses.

‘Heathrow East’

Next year will also see the start on building a new passenger terminal, to be known as Heathrow East, to replace T1 and 2, two of the airport’s oldest buildings. The aim is to have it in use in time for the London Olympics in 2012. BAA says, “ Our plans will reduce water consumption, increase waste recycling, and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 40 per cent compared to Terminals 1 and 2.”

Terminal 3 will initially be redeveloped and the forecourt modernised by the end of 2007 in order to improve its appeal, reduce traffic congestion, develop better pedestrian routes and improve security. BAA plans to carry out the upgrading of the rest of the terminal over the next 10 years.

Terminal 4, Heathrow's youngest terminal (opened in 1986), though still being in good structural condition, is in need of refurbishment. The airports company says, “After the opening of Terminal 5, we will embark on a major upgrade of the existing T4 facilities. We will look to increasing the amount of natural light entering the building, improve the facilities for check-in, and build modern departure lounges.”

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(Old news but i saw it just now, and thought it would be of interest. I believe the article was there in DH because of our own interest in modern airports).

world1

April 3rd, 2008, 01:04 PM

ok now....if the airport opens on 11th may then who will be d first person 2 go 2 the airport??? in SSC i mean.....ill be going on 16th mornin. Any idea if some1 going earlier?

bhargavsura

April 3rd, 2008, 06:25 PM

why do you wanna know?

world1

April 3rd, 2008, 06:51 PM

^^no just simply!!! y anything wrong.........? :)just for some pics thts y!!!! its like who will go 2 d airport first in SSC just for excitement...:) im going 2 pick up my relative in the night so i tht i COULD post some pics d nxt day.... but anyways........

bhargavsura

April 3rd, 2008, 07:05 PM

yeah... If possible get some pictures for SSC... it wud be great!!!

Silicon_Valley

April 3rd, 2008, 07:41 PM

ok now....if the airport opens on 11th may then who will be d first person 2 go 2 the airport??? in SSC i mean.....ill be going on 16th mornin. Any idea if some1 going earlier?

IF it opens on May 11. With polls around that time you never know what new drama unfolds that can defer the opening of the airport further. Common man proposes and politician disposes?!

qwertyasd

April 3rd, 2008, 10:28 PM

Dont worry.. nobody will care.. everybody will be busy with elections to worry about the airport.

qwertyasd

April 4th, 2008, 02:34 AM

Any pics of the trumpet interchange? It must have finished construction by now.

jammy97

April 4th, 2008, 06:41 AM

I may be visiting the BIA this sunday (Apr 6th) as a part of Praja Bangalore (http://bangalore.praja.in/visit-international-airport)group. We may be around 25 of us going, so we should be having some pics this weekend. Also, we would be asking questions about the phase 2 expansion especially about the new terminal and runway.

There is still no confirmation about the travel arrangements etc, but I am hoping it works out. :)

mailabode

April 4th, 2008, 09:30 AM

Hi Jammy,
Good to know you're going.
I have a request: Can you ask Mr Brunner the following questions please(in your own words):
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1) Why is it when Zurich Airport has vertical separation (of arrivals and departure areas), BIAL does not?. Is this cost saving?.
"Its a disappointment to a lot of us to see an apparent downgrade in the new BIAL from the older Zurich airport" we could tell him. Please point to many new airports of the world(big and small (example HIAL, Esenboğa International Airport Ankara etc) and which have the same or lesser planned passenger capacity than BIAL) which have just opened or are to be opened soon and have only a vertical separation design.
2) Who had the final say in choosing the current design for the passenger terminal at BIAL airport?. Will the height of passenger terminal and its roof - change in the final phase or will the final airport(after all phases) have the same flat roof structure?.
3) In the redesign done to accommodate more passengers(5.5 million to 12 million), did the passenger terminal become proportionately bigger as the increase in passenger capacity, or does the size increase pale in comparison to the increased passenger capacity planned for?. Could he give any figures?.
4) The parking lot- do we have multi level parking lot?. We heard from the papers BIAL was planning an underground to overground parking lot- is this still on- and what is the progress.
5) The baggage carousels- are they flat or 'sloping to the outside' like modern ones?. If flat, why are they using such antiquated carousels(from which luggage falls off (as witnessed frequently in Mumbai, Chennai etc) ) ?, is this a cost cutting measure?.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The indented text was addressed to you.

It would be wonderful if you could get an answer to these questions.
Many Thanks,
Kind Regards.

I may be visiting the BIA this sunday (Apr 6th) as a part of Praja Bangalore (http://bangalore.praja.in/visit-international-airport)group. We may be around 25 of us going, so we should be having some pics this weekend. Also, we would be asking questions about the phase 2 expansion especially about the new terminal and runway.

There is still no confirmation about the travel arrangements etc, but I am hoping it works out. :)

mailabode

April 4th, 2008, 10:37 AM

http://bangalore.praja.in/discuss/2008/03/same-state-atc-hial-oked-and-bial-grounded

........................................ “We made all arrangements for air traffic control to function smoothly,” said Mr P.S. Nair, COO of GHIAL. “AAI officials will use the equipment only after completion of their training programme.” “The new systems are entirely different and so the ATC staff will have to undergo rigorous training,” said Mr R.K. Singla, AAI director for both the airports. He added that the ATC at Shamshabad would start operations only when the staff was confident enough to tackle the new systems. “It makes no difference for pilots that they are getting instructions from Begumpet since it has advanced technology and radar systems,” he said.

However, another airport official said that instructions from Begumpet airport might cause confusion.
“The KLM-873 Amsterdam-Hyderabad flight returned to Mumbai on the inaugural day as the pilots could not understand the instructions,” he said. “However, those problems are rectified now.”
.......................

Prodigist

April 4th, 2008, 03:14 PM

[url]
However, another airport official said that instructions from Begumpet airport might cause confusion.
“The KLM-873 Amsterdam-Hyderabad flight returned to Mumbai on the inaugural day as the pilots could not understand the instructions,” he said. “However, those problems are rectified now.”
.......................

Here we go again... CONSPIRACY Theorists at their best again...

Why cant we concentrate on making BIAL better rather than fighting and crying foul on the basis of discussions on another forum???
You have to understand that AAI maintains the ATC at Begumpet airport as well as HIAL... When you talk about our airport at Bangalore, HAL staff maintain the ATC at the present airport while AAI is supposed to handle it at BIAL, so i guess the new ATC officials are not familiar with the terrain near Devanhaali or Bang for that matter

mailabode

April 4th, 2008, 04:34 PM

Prodigist

April 5th, 2008, 05:35 AM

Well your title said it all... Same State of ATC but HIAL okayed but BIAL rejected

Well i might have wrongly quoted your post... Sorry for that

If you were not hinting at any kind of conspiracy that AAI has favoured HIAL for probably kickbacks , you wouldn't have posted such a title...

Read for definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conspiracy_theory

Thanks for the definition:)

jammy97

April 5th, 2008, 01:21 PM

Hi Jammy,
Good to know you're going.
I have a request: Can you ask Mr Brunner the following questions please(in your own words):
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
1) Why is it when Zurich Airport has vertical separation (of arrivals and departure areas), BIAL does not?. Is this cost saving?.
"Its a disappointment to a lot of us to see an apparent downgrade in the new BIAL from the older Zurich airport" we could tell him. Please point to many new airports of the world(big and small (example HIAL, Esenboğa International Airport Ankara etc) and which have the same or lesser planned passenger capacity than BIAL) which have just opened or are to be opened soon and have only a vertical separation design.
2) Who had the final say in choosing the current design for the passenger terminal at BIAL airport?. Will the height of passenger terminal and its roof - change in the final phase or will the final airport(after all phases) have the same flat roof structure?.
3) In the redesign done to accommodate more passengers(5.5 million to 12 million), did the passenger terminal become proportionately bigger as the increase in passenger capacity, or does the size increase pale in comparison to the increased passenger capacity planned for?. Could he give any figures?.
4) The parking lot- do we have multi level parking lot?. We heard from the papers BIAL was planning an underground to overground parking lot- is this still on- and what is the progress.
5) The baggage carousels- are they flat or 'sloping to the outside' like modern ones?. If flat, why are they using such antiquated carousels(from which luggage falls off (as witnessed frequently in Mumbai, Chennai etc) ) ?, is this a cost cutting measure?.

Mailabode,

I will try to gather as much information as possible from them. I believe we have just two hours to spend there. The group has already made a huge list of questions, which partly cover your questions on the terminal. I will try to take pics and post them, especially the areas not taken before.

BTW, I got a glimpse on the "Vayu Vajra" bus today. Not surprisingly, it was plying as route no "2" ie from JP Nagar to KBS. Couldnt get a peek at the interors. The exterior is nothing too different from the existing volvos, apart from the silly looking aircraft photograph.

rkramesh

April 5th, 2008, 09:55 PM

Hope you get some pointers to whats happennineg there Jammy - we are all curious, and eagerly awaiting to know... :) I certainly do hope it will open on the 11th May this year itself ;)

Nelaturi

April 6th, 2008, 06:17 PM

Friends,

I was part of the tour to the airport organized by Praja and BIAL. Very well organized trip, with break fast, soft drinks, snacks, and so on.

Check out Photo Yogi's (a.k.a Praveen) thread on Flickr below for the snaps.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoyogi/sets/72157604404497788/

Thanks for Praveen for his great photos.

We all congregated near the Chinnaswamy stadium at 9 am where an AC Coach organized by BIAL was waiting for us. Shane and Mithun of BIAL were waiting with break fast for all of us. Departed at 9.35 am. Route taken was via Cunningham Road, RajMahal Vilas, Doordarshan, Mekhri Circle, Hebbal flyover, onto NH7 and Yelahanka. Took the trumpet inter-change, which is almost ready. Shane mentioned that some work is still pending on the side wall, lighting, etc. This area would also serve as a shuttle point for BIAL buses, which are planned to be plying on a 5 mt. frequency. Auto rickshaws will not be permitted beyond this point.

The exchange in all respects would be completed by Oct 08, but the main ramps to and fro Bangalore should be fully ready by May end. The edges and retaining walls are being done up now.

We were welcomed at the airport by Kiran (of BIAL PR) and his lady assistant. Travel (excluding the 10 mts halt on the interchange for photos) took about 45 mts, which is very good going, albeit on Sunday.

The actual airport tour lasted about two hours.

The curved roof with glass panel permits day light inside for a bright and lively atmosphere. Some kind of interior work is still in progress, mostly related to vendor stalls and restaurant areas.

Kiran explained the concept, using the scale model at the entrance. Current phase is planned to handle about 11 to 12 million passengers per year. Future extensions will have a parallel runway (one and half km south, with another terminal there, plus the ends connected to form a three sided rectangle. Ultimate plan is to handle about 50 million pax /year. No dates set, but may be 2025???

The arrival and departures are at the same level but are segregated.

Depature area: There are 53 check-in counters. A flexible design allows them to allocate as many of these for either domestic or int'l flights, based on traffic at any point. There is no segregation here between Domestic and International. You just walk up to the relevant counter for your airline and check-in. There would also be self-check in facility for those with no check-in baggage. Its planned to be idiot-proof, as some say. Identify your airline/flight on touch screen, key in the PNR/ticket number and take the boarding slip that gets printed. Check in luggage does not have to be passed through X-ray by the passengers (saves a heck of a lot of time). Once checked-in, it passes though four stages of x-rays automatically as it passes through the basement to the loading areas. Radio frequency tagging is used to identify luggage and they claim it is error proof. Any luggage that needs further intervention would be segregated and kept aside, with the passenger called up using the identity tags for further investigation.

There are two sets of escalators, stairs and lifts (transparent glass ones) to the next level. (Not sure if these are adequate, but once the check-in is done, passengers are not in such a hurry, so may not be a real issue). At the upper level, the domestic passengers move left and the Int'l ones move right towards immigration.

There are nine aero-bridges and totally 30 departure gates. The post-security check area has shopping and restaurant areas for the waiting passengers.

The aero-bridges are half glass upto the pivot pillar. The rest up to the aircraft is enclosed.

They had a demonstration of the Fire fighting machine for us. These machines are real beauties (there are 4) with amazing capabilities. See the photos.

The Arrivals area is also well organized, with totally nine carousels. The dividing glass partitions (two of them, with three acrousels between each) provide a facility to open up more carousels for either domestic or international, as per incoming traffic, with glass panel opened or closed as per need. Access to transit lounges is available either before or after luggage claim.

Exit areas have meeting points for receiving parties. A five star hotel (Oberois?) is under construction within the airport grounds, should be ready only in 2009.

Parking provision is currently for 2000 cars. Covered ramps are available upto almost half the parking area from the terminal.

The ATC tower, fuel farms etc are ready, from external appearances.

The return trip took about 1 hour to the starting point because of a slight deviation to drop off people on the way....back home before 2 pm.

Overall a very well organized tour and left us with a very good feeling about BIAL and their committment towards public satisfaction.

The best part - the whole thing was free....:-):cheers:

PS: Wonder if Jammy was there. Did not get to identify/meet.... if yes, pl add on to whatever I 've said above.

rkramesh

April 6th, 2008, 07:20 PM

Thanks for the trips and photo access Nelaturi - Any info / confirmation on the starting date? Or were any question asked by mailabode addressed during your trip? Is the ATC on schedule and does it look like the parking facilities and terminal facilities are ready to go?...Hope Jammy has some info - if u both were there u should have met and also r u there in one of the snaps?

Illusionist

April 6th, 2008, 08:31 PM

awesome pics and description netaluri... those are some of the best pics of BIAL...

i am so glad that they changed the front look of the airport... looks more sophisticated and overall finish looks top class..

only if it had multilevel access it would be so awesome..

Babji

April 7th, 2008, 12:29 AM

Friends,

Check out Photo Yogi's (a.k.a Praveen) thread on Flickr below for the snaps.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoyogi/sets/72157604404497788/

Thanks for Praveen for his great photos...

Travel took about 45 mts, which is very good going, albeit on Sunday.

Current phase is planned to handle about 11 to 12 million passengers per year. Future extensions will have a parallel runway (one and half km south, with another terminal there, plus the ends connected to form a three sided rectangle. Ultimate plan is to handle about 50 million pax /year. No dates set, but may be 2025???

There are nine aero-bridges and totally 30 departure gates.

The Arrivals area is also well organized, with totally nine carousels.

A five star hotel (Oberois?) is under construction within the airport grounds, should be ready only in 2009.

Parking provision is currently for 2000 cars.

The ATC tower, fuel farms etc are ready, from external appearances.

The return trip took about 1 hour to the starting point because of a slight deviation to drop off people on the way...

cool. looks like things are improving! thanks for the updates @Nelaturi.

Illusionist

April 7th, 2008, 01:14 AM

more pics from praja bial visit
http://picasaweb.google.com/rithesh.rg/BengaluruInternationalAirportPrajaVisit
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75513700@N00/sets/72157604414889611/

Illusionist

April 7th, 2008, 01:18 AM

man... just look at the finishing....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75513700@N00/2392217937/sizes/l/in/set-72157604414889611/

saurabh85

April 7th, 2008, 01:36 AM

^^ absolutely faboulous pics! truly world class!One can only imagine how it would look when all phases are completed! btw looks like all the whiners have gone into hiding!:lol:

KB335ci

April 7th, 2008, 02:04 AM

Totally. In fact, some of the whiners have started to exhibit a more positive outlook - great going, M8s

vamsireddy

April 7th, 2008, 02:14 AM

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2565/2391445433e3b82d023abb7vs8.jpg
:lol:

Photo copyright@PhotoYogi

bhargavsura

April 7th, 2008, 02:22 AM

Awesome pictures Indrajal!!!

KB335ci

April 7th, 2008, 02:36 AM

A top-speed of a 135 km/h, and 0-80 in 25 seconds...decently quick for a vehicle of it's size. The Panther 8X8 is definitely meaner looking, and is quite the cracker....I hope BIAL + HIAL order some of them as the airports grow.

rkramesh

April 7th, 2008, 04:14 AM

Me Likey :)
]Source - thanks for the link Indrajal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7551370...7604414889611/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2352/2393030308_e4366def3c_b.jpg
Modern n Hep Glass roof structure... - The passenger pick-up n drop off is looking better now...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2393025020_66d3933014.jpg
Charming stone arches - Bangalore Garden pathway touch...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/2393055662_2c0752ebe3.jpg
Looks like 2 same level portico lanes - One for arrival , one for departure...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2393033360_821eabba29.jpg
Pigeoned holed wall at the end looks like 70s art-deco...Wish they had a large wall engraving like say someting found on our temple walls or some stained glass structure like in Mumbai's new termial 2 which says namaste - Is this a temporary wall that will come down during the expansion phases when the terminal building is elongated?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3250/2392203749_b7c8f69126.jpg
Neat Signages and wood panelled walls...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2396/2392184903_a6dd185147.jpg
Anyone from our discussion thread here?...

sammyk

April 7th, 2008, 04:21 AM

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/2565/2391445433e3b82d023abb7vs8.jpg
:lol:

What do you find so funny?

jammy97

April 7th, 2008, 05:07 AM

PS: Wonder if Jammy was there. Did not get to identify/meet.... if yes, pl add on to whatever I 've said above.

Yes Nelaturi. I was there!!

And the trip was just fantastic. BIAL team was very professional to say the least, and also equally friendly. Also it was good that the entire Praja group and others were on time and we did not have to wait too long anywhere.

Adding on to Nelaturi,
People met from BIAL: Shane (part of the PR group), Kiran Cariappa (took us through BIA) and an Architect (answered most questions relating to terminal etc)

Summary:

1. Terminal: The present one will be expanded until capacity reaches 18-19 million. Then the new one will come up. The new one will be definitely bigger. They may consider two level arrival/departure for the new one, but the current one and the expanded one will be the same. The reason for having single level departure/arrival is to have a local flavour and keeping local demographics in mind.

2. Air side: Expansion already started with more aircraft stands being built.

3. Developments: Flight info display installed at the departure section. There are 16 screens (apart from the LCD display TV's at entrance and near escalators). The canopy near entrance almost complete.

4. Runway: BIAL is confident of having paralell runway by 2011-12 although the matter is currently in dispute with IAF. BIAL is confident that their masterplan will be stuck to.

5. Shopping/Eating areas: Most of them complete, with a few of them coming up at the curbside also.

Guys, I will post some pics from my camera very soon.

jammy97

April 7th, 2008, 05:09 AM

Me Likey :)
]
Anyone from our discussion thread here?...

Yes rkramesh..I am there in that!!!

Other facts:

1. Immigration/Emigration counters: There are 18 at the arrival and 18 at the departure
2. Gates: 20 in all. I got a CD and brief project summary from BIAL which said it has 20 gates. Nelaturi and bgguy pls confirm on this.
3. Swing gates: 2 baggage corrousels at the swing area. Will be used interchangably for domestic/international based on traffic density at that point in time.
4. Baggage collection: All baggage collection belts are FLAT. None of them are inclined like in HIAL. But, this is not to cut costs, just that some people find it easier with flat belts and chances of bags spilling over is less.
5. Trumpet interchange: Everything should be done in June-July. Till then BE PATIENT BANGALORE!!! You are getting a world class airport, so stop brainwashing people with "CONNECTIVITY ISSUES". It doesnt take 3 hours to get there anyway. Things are improving and the roads in most places are wider than the current airport road. Most people dont realise that in case of traffic jams etc, you will take close to 2 hours (frm places like JP Nagar) to reach HAL airport.
6. BIAL shuttle: I believe there is a seperate set of lanes for the BIAL shuttle from the trumpet interchange. The buses will be every 5 minutes according to Mithun. Again, nelaturi if you can confirm on this.

One more important thing:

THE ATC building (not the tower) looks a lot better than in the snaps. Infact, the whole airport is that way. The granite flooring looks cool and is much much better than HIAL. Infact a good chunk of the 2500 crores must have gone into granite flooring and the granite laden pillars. It has been done because granite is a "local" to Bangaloreans.

What do you say, Nelaturi/bqguy???

Hindustani

April 7th, 2008, 05:18 AM

What do you find so funny?

You never been a 5 yr old kid playing with your thingi while pissing & decide to point it skywards to see how much distance your pee covers. :lol::lol:

vamsireddy

April 7th, 2008, 05:20 AM

What do you find so funny?

hmm... looks like Mods deleted one of my earlier posts(God bless you Mods:)) to give u context ... never mind now. I think BIAL is coming up well and can't wait to see it inaugurated :cheers:

genialgiant

April 7th, 2008, 05:56 AM

The reason for having single level departure/arrival is to have a local flavour and keeping local demographics in mind.

Could you elaborate on this point? Seems like a lame made-up excuse for overlooking an important operational need in the design. What is it about local demographics and flavour that dictates the need for a single level arrival and departure area?

bgguy

April 7th, 2008, 06:15 AM

Yes rkramesh..I am there in that!!!

One more important thing:

THE ATC building (not the tower) looks a lot better than in the snaps. Infact, the whole airport is that way. The granite flooring looks cool and is much much better than HIAL. Infact a good chunk of the 2500 crores must have gone into granite flooring and the granite laden pillars. It has been done because granite is a "local" to Bangaloreans.

What do you say, Nelaturi???
^^

Jammy Thanks for the update. I was there too. Despite I miss the bus @ stadium, I drove to BIAL. It took me 45-50 mins from MG road (since it was on Sunday -:) ). I was stopped by the security on the first round about on the access road. Courtesy to BIAL PR team I was able to make it to terminal on time. It was nice experience and I agree with you that the airport looks great ! Thanks Praja and BIAL for organizing the same.

jammy97

April 7th, 2008, 06:18 AM

Ok folks,

Here are my set of photographs on BIA - visited on 6th Apr 2008.

Flight Info Display (Totally 2 sets of 4 screens each):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3270/2395092192_5daeb1f3bb_b.jpg

Completed Canopy (One line for VIP arrival/departure and the other for the public)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2395052322_7524813490_b.jpg

The rest can be accessed here:
BIAL photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14073402@N08/sets/72157604417716360/)

I havent uploaded all the photos coz i would have exceeded the limit in Flickr. I will try to upload all + the complimentary photos from BIAL in Picassa

Also type: Bialpraja (or something similar) in Flickr for all the photos by the group.

KB335ci

April 7th, 2008, 06:20 AM

I wish I could've gone too...:cry:

Illusionist

April 7th, 2008, 06:42 AM

saurabh85

April 7th, 2008, 06:47 AM

thanks guys... all credit goes to the awesome photographers... i recommend you see the high resolution pics from those album..

i must admit, Bangalore scores in finishing and sophistication...
the changed facade and the canopies changed the whole look for good

though it looks like bial is still a month away from being finished.

^^yeah its surprising they had fixed march 30th as the opening date. may seems to be a more realistic time for the airport to start functioning.

carlcox

April 7th, 2008, 07:11 AM

Hi There,
An absolute Master-Piece. A perfect airport for a perfect city.
Guys, please ignore all the media rubbish about the airport. Trust me guys, this airport is gonna definitely cement Bangalore's place in the global aviation map.
This airport kinda reminds me the new terminal in Singapore. Whatever said & done, this airport is WORLDCLASS.

BTW, the TRUMP Group has tied up with Prestige Group to build a 300 acre Golf Village near the Airport. Will keep you guys informed about the project.

Cheers
Carl

world1

April 7th, 2008, 07:20 AM

Stunning pics guys!!!:) thx a lot for them!!!:banana:
Cheers!:bow:

And can any1 start BIAL thread in airports section??? like HIAL......it would be gr8!!

qwertyasd

April 7th, 2008, 10:13 AM

Looking really good.... Hoping to land there around June. If i go, i will definitely try to click pics.. Also, i could give a first hand info about the quality of service!

Hope they are as efficient as the finishing looks! Good luck BIAL.

mashimama

April 7th, 2008, 02:47 PM

excellent update!

BTW, two issues (concerns) based on previous reports and from problems in airports like HIAL and Heathrow were (1) ATC and (2) baggage handling.

did the Praja team get any insight, pictures or updates on how the BIAL ATC is progressing? how the "underground" baggage handling is setup and tested etc?

heavenlyabode

April 7th, 2008, 03:05 PM

Awesome pics! Great going.. I like the canopy at the entrance area! Phew!!

sammyk

April 7th, 2008, 03:33 PM

hmm... looks like Mods deleted one of my earlier posts(God bless you Mods:)) to give u context ... never mind now. I think BIAL is coming up well and can't wait to see it inaugurated :cheers:

What did they delete?

arijeetb

April 7th, 2008, 03:45 PM

jammy97 - thanks for sharing the wonderful updates to BIAL. A truly international experience:cheers:

rkramesh

April 7th, 2008, 05:13 PM

Thanks for the update and the lovely pics Jammy :) Very informative,
The entrance awning reminds me of the glass roof at the city centre here in Coventry...
http://gallery.nen.gov.uk/gallery_images/0507/0000/0125/CIMG1096.jpgsource (gallery.nen.gov.uk/image58677-e2bn.html)

A very attractive feature to have at BIAL.
Also is this the meeters/greeters HIAL Airport Viallge version at BIAL ?
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2371/2394224451_f8fb65fc34.jpg

About the carousels - they do have a point there - the ease of use depends on individual preferrence.

While HIAL has a vey modern and stylish ambience, It might sound odd to say but from the snaps BIAL seems to have a certain uncomplicated old world charm - a simplicity of the days gone by - where everything is visible and easy to understand with just one look - having been brought up in a colonial and laid back childhood, it to me seems to hark back to those gracious days...those pillars, materials used (though me Granite seems to not be only a Bangalore or even an Indian exclusivity), indoor plants, subdued colours, lots of natural light , old fashioned gardens etc.

But this ambience will only work well if the crowd control is so smooth that things dont look overtly crowded and hassled - Well there is a certain likelyness to Singapore T3 too as I had mentioned earlier in this thread with pics - lets hope the customer experience is as good - if not better even - given that it is smaller and therefore more easy to control - Hope we dont have the initial glitches seen even at the level of HIAL or - God forbid - Heathrow T5.

jammy97

April 7th, 2008, 06:50 PM

Here is the complete set of my photos of the BIAL visit

http://picasaweb.google.com/jammy97/BIALVisit

luvBlore

April 7th, 2008, 07:10 PM

^^
Wonder full !!! Awesome !!! Thanks Jammy.

Looks to me , 2 months delay could in the end prove to be blessing in disguise. It will come up nicely by May-11th.

We have seen enoguh of day pics...love to see the night view of the airport.

Nelaturi

April 7th, 2008, 07:26 PM

Me Likey :)

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2396/2392184903_a6dd185147.jpg
Anyone from our discussion thread here?...

Yes, I'm the guy sitting alone 2nd row on the right. My son is in the first seat wearing the T-shirt with gray stripes.

Jammy, pl identify yrself..

About some of the queries:

No specific reason was given for the horizontal carousels. As someone said, its just individual preference I guess. I did mention about the angular ones in HIAL but Kiran's response was a wry smile.

The shuttle buses would be plying in 5 mts frequency between the terminal and the trumpet exchange. Auto rickshaws would not be permitted beyond this point. I do not recall about dedicated bus lanes... anyway, its a 5 km drive down the dedicated road.

It appears that work has indeed slowed down from the hectic pace when they were trying to meet the 30th March dead-line. Now that they have more time so the contractors seem to have taken the foot off the pedal.

They are still sticking to the 11th May date.

bhargavsura

April 7th, 2008, 08:00 PM

Jammy: Those are awesome pictures...

Love the pictures of Fire Engines- they look like the Next Gen Fire Engines in India :).

:cheers:

rkramesh

April 7th, 2008, 09:18 PM

Yes please do identify yourselves in the snaps if you are comfortable with it - it is nice to put a face to the enthusiatic and inspiring crowd we call our BIAL community.:hug:

Fusionist

April 7th, 2008, 11:22 PM

If I go by looks alone, I still would think BIAL looks more classier than HIAL :cheers:

Babji

April 8th, 2008, 12:56 AM

Source - thanks for the link Indrajal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7551370...7604414889611/)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2262/2393033360_821eabba29.jpg
Completed Canopy (One line for VIP arrival/departure and the other for the public)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2395052322_7524813490_b.jpg
The rest can be accessed here:
BIAL photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14073402@N08/sets/72157604417716360/)

the canopies have added value to the image. plenty of natural light is a plus point too. its coming out really nice.
cool pics and nice updates. Thanks to @Nelaturi, @jammy97, @rkramesh, @Indrajal and all.

krinix

April 8th, 2008, 04:17 AM

Man thats a heck a lot of classy pics.
Hats off to the praja.in

Such groups is what provides Bang to our city

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2104/2392263294_6f1389f539_b.jpg

ohhh, Love the colour.... if only sting rays could swim behind those aquamarine glasses.

ATC

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2392193923_9a90fd0a1d_b.jpg

Im beginning to really like this ATC.

Its starting to resemble the space ship in Men In black. Damm the saucer looks like its going to take off any time.

http://lh3.google.com/erasereplace/RsmrpJM1RcI/AAAAAAAAASo/WaXdtuODa3o/IMG_0419.JPG.jpg

The Observatory Towers, in the movie Men in Black in the scene where Agent J and Agent K attempt to stop the Bug from leaving earth in the observation tower, which transforms into an alien space ship, then crashes into the Unisphere..

raghussc

April 8th, 2008, 04:29 AM

but look at the road edge in that vip lane, it's still not complete yet ?!? And they wanted to open it on March 30th ??

krinix

April 8th, 2008, 04:43 AM

Me Likey :)
]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2177/2393025020_66d3933014.jpg
Charming stone arches - Bangalore Garden pathway touch...

How about Vines or creepers over those bangalore pillars.?
Ours is a garden city right, so why not let the world know immediately as they land in bangalore.

Few examples

How about good old boganvillea.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/540634709_d2a621af77_o.jpg

Any more ideas?

Silicon_Valley

April 8th, 2008, 04:47 AM

How about Vines or creepers over those bangalore pillars.?
Ours is a graden city right, so why not let the world know immediately as they land in bangalore.

Few examples

How about good old boganvillea.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1212/540634709_d2a621af77_o.jpg

Any more ideas?

Creeper is a very good idea. They look cool hugging those stone pillars :)

Silicon_Valley

April 8th, 2008, 04:50 AM

And of course, thanks everyone for all those brilliant pictures. The critics have for sure gone on vacation :)

On a serious note, as someone said, the deferring of the opening of the airport has come as a blessing in disguise and has given a very good opportunity for better preparedness. Hope, the opening does not get delayed due to some inane political purpose.

krinix

April 8th, 2008, 05:04 AM

BIAL is good ol plain vanilla. And its a winner always.
Yeah the critics may as well call it quits, when it comes to aesthetics of BIAL.
I simply love the way it looks, simple and neat.
I only hope it comes to be known as the no nonsense airport of india.

luvBlore

April 8th, 2008, 05:10 AM

By Lakshmi Vishwanath | Bangalore

Air Mauritius, Tiger Airways, Oman Air, Dragon Air (subsidiary of Cathay Pacific) will commence operations from the new Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). Air Mauritius will commence operations on May 13, 2008, Tiger Airways on May 11, 2008, Dragon Air on May 25, 2008 and Oman Air on May 11, 2008. These international carriers will fly to Mauritius, Singapore, Oman, Hong Kong, San Francisco, New York and London. Kingfisher Airlines and cargo carriers such as Jett8 and Quickjet also have plans to fly international routes and have requested for slots.

These carriers will be in addition to other existing European and Asian airlines flying currently to Bangalore such as Lufthansa, British Airways, Gulf Air, Air Arabia, Air France, Sri Lankan Airlines and cargo carriers like Etihad, Transmile and Qatar Airways. Emirates, Thai Airways, Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airways have requested for increased weekly frequency from the new airport. Domestic slots for the summer, which will be effective on May 11, 2008, have been confirmed by BIAL to all domestic airlines at a slot meeting held last month. However, these slots are still being negotiated, as the airport opening date was postponed to May 11, 2008. Domestic airlines have requested for an average of 20-25 per cent increase in slots for the summer. As per the domestic flight schedule at the new Bengaluru International Airport, approximately 29 per cent of flights have been given better flight timings. The domestic airlines that could not get preferred flight timings at the current airport due to capacity constraints have now been accommodated during the time requested for, said an official spokesperson from BIAL.

The airline frequency at the new BIA will increase, with the total number of flights touching 1,595 per week, of which domestic flights will comprise 85 per cent and international flights will comprise 15 per cent, informed the official spokesperson. With these carriers showing interest in flying international routes from the new airport, BIA is confident that South India’s connections to the Far East, Europe and North America will improve substantially in the near future.

http://www.travelbizmonitor.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?aid=2559&sid=36&sname=Top%20Stories

qwertyasd

April 8th, 2008, 05:48 AM

but look at the road edge in that vip lane, it's still not complete yet ?!? And they wanted to open it on March 30th ??

I think the contractors are just going slow knowing that there is time for the airport to open. I think it is best the airport had a breather. It could improve the infra much more. It could also learn from HIAL's problems and hopefully those will not be repeated.

The creeper idea is excellent. Someone should forward it to BIAL. Maybe on of the praja people.

Waiting for May!

jammy97

April 8th, 2008, 05:56 AM

Yes, I'm the guy sitting alone 2nd row on the right. My son is in the first seat wearing the T-shirt with gray stripes.

Jammy, pl identify yrself..

About some of the queries:

The shuttle buses would be plying in 5 mts frequency between the terminal and the trumpet exchange. Auto rickshaws would not be permitted beyond this point. I do not recall about dedicated bus lanes... anyway, its a 5 km drive down the dedicated road.

Nelaturi,

I am the guy sitting next to your son across the aisle in the 1st row. I am wearing the ginger coloured shirt facing the window.

I asked Mithun while on the entrance to BIAL about the dedicated lanes, and he said there were lanes allocated to the shuttle buses. But I couldnt get more details than that.

Also, I am a little sceptical about the distance between the entrance and the check in counters. There is going to be some crowding there for sure. Hopefully they resolve that issue during the next terminal.

The creepers/boganvillea idea is a good one. I hope the landscaping work is not done, maybe they can implement that idea. One good thing is that even if its not done at the beginning, they can implement it any time.

Also nelaturi, can you tell me who was the person who designed the new BIAL logo from Praja?

scdubagoor

April 8th, 2008, 06:28 AM

Looks classy except the OverHead Water Tank (ATC Tower) :) OR is there really a water tank in that big rectangular block?

R2IChennai

April 8th, 2008, 06:39 AM

BIAL is cool but i some how like HIAL more
may be i am biased...

castlerock

April 8th, 2008, 07:01 AM

krinix

April 8th, 2008, 07:29 AM

BIAL is cool but i some how like HIAL more
may be i am biased...

Yeah, but recent comments/views after the new set of pics is not to compare BIAL with HIAL.
I guess most of the views here have come as a surprise after soo much critic, because we finally get to see the almost finished product.
This is only going to ge better, as finishing draws closer including connectivity/Transportation/cargo.

BIAL is simple and neat and thats the best thing about it soo far.

raghussc

April 8th, 2008, 02:00 PM

The flooring at BIAL is way superior and classy than HIAL. But I prefer the HIAL roof better.
The BIAL roof looks too simplistic. Otherwise BIAL looks classy with an old world charm about it.
It should have more interior plants and maybe fish tanks as some suggested. Will go well with
the looks.

Seems like the consensus is that B'lore citizens like old charm ... how many posters will say they want old charm against 21st century charming designs ?!?

but like the above poster said, there was lot of gloom and negative feelings off late in this BIAL thread that the new pictures brought some life into it ...

just don't compare HIAL and BIAL and everything will be great here and there ...

BIAL now knows from HIAL what the initial problems in Indian environment are going to be ... also, BIAL has to instigate Deccan Chronicle and then they'll receive lot of criticism to take care of :bash:

Nelaturi

April 8th, 2008, 04:06 PM

Hey Jammy, Imagine! We were sitting almost next to one another and did not know. I was talking to photo-yogi about your message on SSC regarding the forthcoming tour...

I am not aware of who designed the BIAL logo. Will have to ask someone at Praja about it.

I asked kiran about the greening and the dust factor and he said its well on the way. Should be completed by the time the airport opens. Creepers would be nice. Will update the Praja thread so that Shane or some one from BIAL will read.... may be they already have such plans..

Prodigist

April 8th, 2008, 04:46 PM

also, BIAL has to instigate Deccan Chronicle and then they'll receive lot of criticism to take care of :bash:

Well heard Deccan Chronicle was planning to launch a daily in BANG... They might start their daily on the date of BIAL's inauguration and crib about the design being old fashioned:bleep:

Its gr8 to see the new pics of BIAL.. 3 cheers to BIAL Team.:cheers::cheers::cheers:

Hyd_Nipper

April 8th, 2008, 05:04 PM

Well heard Deccan Chronicle was planning to launch a daily in BANG... They might start their daily on the date of BIAL's inauguration and crib about the design being old fashioned:bleep:

Its gr8 to see the new pics of BIAL.. 3 cheers to BIAL Team.:cheers::cheers::cheers:

God save BIAL from Deccan :lol::lol:

BIAL looks beautiful. Way to go India. I would also like to thank fellow forumer's for sharing the pics.

I still have some concerns about May 11 due to elections. Banglorians can put their views.

Desidude

April 8th, 2008, 05:37 PM

Nice to see the authorities opening up for enthusiasts who wish to know their Airport.
This is a huge Airport guys. Great interior pics of BIA there, it sure is a classy Airport with some amazing finish.
Anyone know if there's plan to allow visitors to the check-in area of the Terminal?
I wish they do not face any of those issues that were encountered during the opening of HIA (lessons learned).

Illusionist

April 8th, 2008, 06:11 PM

ATC

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2064/2392193923_9a90fd0a1d_b.jpg

alright... i wanted to ask this question for a long time but was not sure if it was asked before or not...

it might be silly but i need to ask.

Why is the ATC Cabin not centered on top of the tower. it sticks out on one side like it has been dislocated by a strong punch or something..
it would look way better if it was centered and a bit larger in radius to cover all sides. everytime i see this atc it gives me that irritating feeling that it is gonna fall from the edge..
it looks cool nonetheless... i like the railing around it ... it seems that the employees can come out of the cabin and actually stand outside and get a better view if the requirement arises... but it could have been centered :ohno:

btw here is another gallary from praja visit... same photos ..... different angles
http://www.flickr.com/photos/23076637@N05/

kronik

April 8th, 2008, 08:02 PM

Really good to see so many photo reports of the BIAL. It is indeed beautiful, and I am really looking forward to its opening.

sarfira

April 8th, 2008, 08:41 PM

it looks cool nonetheless... i like the railing around it ... it seems that the employees can come out of the cabin and actually stand outside and get a better view if the requirement arises... but it could have been centered :ohno:
It looks like a disc placed on T-section. I dont who is the engineer came with this faulty plan. Neither looks good nor it is efficient design.

KB335ci

April 8th, 2008, 08:49 PM

Why is the ATC Cabin not centered on top of the tower. it sticks out on one side like it has been dislocated by a strong punch or something..
it would look way better if it was centered and a bit larger in radius to cover all sides. everytime i see this atc it gives me that irritating feeling that it is gonna fall from the edge..
it looks cool nonetheless... i like the railing around it ... it seems that the employees can come out of the cabin and actually stand outside and get a better view if the requirement arises... but it could have been centered :ohno:

Well, I guess it's a question of aesthetics. Sure enough, centering the ATC module would've worked just as well, but my guess is that the Architects/ Engineers wanted to break away from the norm by cantilevering it. Bringing-in an element of surprise by playing with symmetry works better as a means of rendering the structure in question, a success with the masses. Straying towards asymmetry is a good idea, especially when the terminal building is symmetrical (and effin' gorgeous, in my opinion).

CapeComorin

April 8th, 2008, 10:29 PM

Congrats Bangalore!

I love the Airport and think it will be the best looking airport in India, if not the World. I for one don't care for overreaching ultra-modern designs that do not fit the locale. The place has a cool je ne sais qoi like CDG used to have, a real personality. All that's left to make it world-class is the banishment of construction dust and for people to keep it clean. Also thanks everyone here for sharing those wonderful pics.

rkramesh

April 9th, 2008, 12:48 AM

He-Hey - at last a face to Jammy and Nelaturi. Nice to c u folks in the pic. :)

I think the creeper/bourganvilla idea is a very nice - Since this airport has taken this direction of creating an old world and traditional charm - It should include manicured gardens, small fountains maybe one inside the terminal too. In a way this is the simplest of major airports designed of late. Eveything can be seen in the rectangular design which doesnt try to fool the eye.

Hindustani

April 9th, 2008, 02:02 AM

Access Road kicks a$$$.

notice the 2 inner lanes are access controlled on both sides.

http://img30.picoodle.com/img/img30/4/4/8/f_bombaym_d716938.jpg

http://img30.picoodle.com/img/img30/4/4/8/f_blorem_7f8055d.jpg

harsh1802

April 9th, 2008, 03:51 AM

^^ Yup...cool!

qwertyasd

April 9th, 2008, 04:20 AM

I am guessing that is for the buses. Why would you want to waste space like that? Why do the buses need special lanes?

Hindustani

April 9th, 2008, 05:18 AM

A Message to all the Walmart Warehouse Haters on SSC India Forum

Take This !!!!!!!!!!!!

BIAL having the last laugh on us. That trumphet interchange is awesome!!!:cheers::cheers::cheers:

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore10m_ca61e4d.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore7m_6778ec9.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore8m_aafea98.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore9m_5e62653.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore10m_a5f7c2b.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore12m_13e35e0.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blorem_e06aa81.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore2m_3986b37.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore3m_e3e1e73.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore4m_e9b622d.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore5m_b8804dd.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore11m_9dd0fba.jpg

http://img26.picoodle.com/img/img26/4/4/8/f_blore13m_1d9f834.jpg

indeglow1

April 9th, 2008, 06:20 AM

Looks clean and good.The criticism about long term planning (or lack of)for a (future) bigcity airport is not really out of place though.Constant whining that I saw in some of the previous posts werent warrented but some criticism (from media etc) may have helped interior design changes like red to blue color and better floorings etc that makes the building look more modern(you can see the older design still in the model in jammys pictures)

jammy97

April 9th, 2008, 07:01 AM

krinix

April 9th, 2008, 07:08 AM

p2p4

April 9th, 2008, 08:46 AM

Wow sooo green and lush. The amount of rain we had last month might have got the grass growing crazy. I bet this was taken on one such day. Love the skyline, with just a tinge of blue exposed.

There's more to an Airport than just the terminal.

That's .. a Greenfield Airport ;) Hehehe.

world1

April 9th, 2008, 10:45 AM

i dont c any double arm bridges........ has any1 got its pic just in case...?

scorpiogenius

April 9th, 2008, 10:56 AM

Fabulous pics Hindustani!

ullasavadan

April 9th, 2008, 11:09 AM

This photograph was one of the many given to us by the BIAL team. We got a complete collection in a CD. I reckon this is one of the best views of the airport!
Thanks to Shane, Mithun, Kiran, Geeta and the entire BIAL team.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2399570445_eab50484d5_b.jpg

After landscaping at the entrance:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3131/2400446536_268ff46fee_o.jpg

Indrajal,

The only reason that i can think of for the dislocated disc, is it could help adding a extra flight of stairs or a lift. Remember, the AAI commented that the ATC had only one set of stairs and one lift. The section just below the disc may contain rest areas for the workers including beds and toilets. But these are all my guesses. Let me try to get a confirmation from Praja or BIAL itself.

Thanks to all who took the pain to visit and report about airport for all of us who are outside bangalore but are eagerly looking forward to the airport. The pictures are excellent!!!

One thing that comes out from the visit is that this is an airport which is planned and designed to utilise the complete area and facilities. The swing door technology and the common check-in for domestic and international traveller just prooves the same.

The picture of grass near the runway should silence those who were worried about the dust coming out.

Overall, we are on the doorsteps of opening of a well planned airport with great ambience and full utilisation. Three Cheers to BIAL. Keep up the good work. We are all proud of you.

bhargavsura

April 9th, 2008, 03:14 PM

Glorious Pictures Hindustani!!!!

rkramesh

April 9th, 2008, 04:09 PM

I am happy that the grass is in place - addresses the dust damage hazard- but I am still amazed as to how the grass grew so tall in just a month or so. Hope the airport is more than just ready to recieve the passengers for the opening day on the 11th of May THIS year ;).

carlcox

April 9th, 2008, 04:33 PM

The pic of the grass & the terminal in the back ground is a very old one.....
you can see work being done on the terminal as well as the ATC....... its an old pic, but a beautiful one none the less:)

phaedrus

April 9th, 2008, 04:33 PM

B'lore's airport dont impress me that much for some reason. as its taking its final shape, its looking worse n worse. for some reason, B'lore missed a huge trick here. no wonder they wanted to change the whole design even when construction started. This is a total disaster from 21st century standards.

A Message to all the Walmart Warehouse Haters on SSC India Forum

Take This !!!!!!!!!!!!

sorry hindustani, couldnt resist! :jk:

thanks a lot for the pics though, amazing!

Illusionist

April 9th, 2008, 05:02 PM

^ ^ damn you sn1101 ..lol

since lot of people will be blamed for flipflopping ,let me clear my stand on this issue here. i never hated BIAL since begining but i had lot of concerns which are still in place. we just got used to of a walmart style structure in last one year and now it looks so pretty to us. lets wait untill the whole place is full of people and then we can tell how good it looks.

multilevel access is not there which is itself a huge problem, its the finishing which is impressive not the overall structure. though i like what i see but it could have been better. landscape is better than i thought, and after they changed the facade and added canopies for the vehicles it looks way better. its like a complete facelift.

overall i say BIAL is ofcourse world class but Hial looks better (Plus they delivered on time)

***************************************

Illusionist

April 9th, 2008, 05:03 PM

thanks for the reply KBC and jammy.....
after i asked that question i tried to find some renderings of the ATC but couldnt find it. It looks like they never released the computer renderings of the tower, or i am not able to find it. i was wondering if the disk can move or rotate or slide from one side to another depending on requirenment :D
i know its a wild thought, but that would be so cool. ;) :nuts:

mohan123

April 9th, 2008, 06:31 PM

I can,t wait to visit BIAL.Post poned my trip in april 08 because of the delay.
I am happy to land in a Bangalore international airport instead of a big garage.
I follow your thread regularly. I appreciate most of the comments.
If u go back to 1980 s there used to be 10 flights per day.
about 4 to Bombay for international connections.
It took about 25 years to have a direct flight from London /Paris /frankfurt to
Bangalore.
Some of you dont know those Days.
Money makes money in capitalism.There are some problems about connectivity which will be resolved in 2 years.
I am from Bangalore....Devanahalli taluk.
I am an Indian &Very proud about that .
Some of my high school friends were coming from villages (Now BIAL).
one village is a Runway now.
20 th century belonged to the west.....G 7 nations.
21 st century belongs to EAST.....India & China......

I appreciate your passion about BIAL.

:cheers:

Mohan123
usa:

Illusionist

April 9th, 2008, 07:01 PM

welcome mr mohan on SSCI. i hope you will have fun and post some intersting stuff here..
specially pics from the time you are talking about ;)

Cov Boy

April 10th, 2008, 11:20 AM

Nice pics of the airport and I like the roads there.

Wont be long before this airport open and another pride of the city, state and country.

Silicon_Valley

April 10th, 2008, 02:41 PM

sorry hindustani, couldnt resist! :jk:

thanks a lot for the pics though, amazing!

m))m))m))

Silicon_Valley

April 10th, 2008, 02:45 PM

Silicon_Valley

April 10th, 2008, 03:37 PM

sammyk

April 10th, 2008, 03:50 PM

Mods/Admins, since Bangalore and Hyderabad international airport threads are the most accessed threads at this point in time, can they not be made 'sticky'? Not sure what the criteria here is, but just a suggestion! :)

I'm obviously not a mod but popular threads typically don't need to be stickied since the frequent posting in them keeps them towards the top.

Photo threads like the ones stickied are popular but have infrequent posting so they need to be stickied to stay on top.

flanker

April 10th, 2008, 06:18 PM

Have been following this thread. Thank you for all the pictures.

mashimama

April 10th, 2008, 06:19 PM

Did you read this? What is good for HIAL is not good for BIAL? I understood the proposal at BIAL was similar - to use HAL ATC till the new tower is fully functional...

http://www.deccan.com/City/CityNews....ares%20experts

mashimama

April 10th, 2008, 06:24 PM

Security scares experts (Deccan Chronicle, Tuesday, April 8, 2008)

Hyderabad, April 7: The security and technical lapses that occurred at the new international airport have worried aviation experts. They are particularly concerned at flights to Shamshabad airport being directed by the Begumpet air traffic control tower, and say that it would lead to confusion and even mishaps. "Shamshabad airport is almost 35 km away from Begumpet," said Wing Commander, K.S. Chandrasekhar, who handled air traffic control for more than two decades in the Indian Air Force. "So it is not advisable to give instructions from Begumpet." He added that air traffic controllers should ideally be in a position where they can see flight movements. As per the standards, visual range is considered within 4 km from the ATC tower.

Mr Chandrasekhar and other experts have urged the civil aviation authorities to make immediate arrangements to make Shamshabad ATC fully operational. "This system is not at all advisable for regular operations," he added. Air Commodore, Mr A.K. Venkateswaran, who retired from IAF, said that detection of smoke in a Kingfisher flight was a serious issue. "The civil aviation ministry and GMR group were in a hurry to open the airport and neglected safety aspects completely", he said. However, the Airport Authority of India and the GMR-Hyderabad International Airport Limited continued to term these as initial hiccups.

Did you read this? What is good for HIAL is not good for BIAL? I understood the proposal at BIAL was similar - to use HAL ATC till the new tower is fully functional...

http://www.deccan.com/City/CityNews....ares%20experts

Hindustani

April 11th, 2008, 01:10 AM

sorry hindustani, couldnt resist! :jk:

thanks a lot for the pics though, amazing!

U still didn't get the point. I still referred to it as "Walmart Warehouse". one needs to really get over its box warehouse design & forget aesthetics & see how much BIAL will deliver to B'lore metropolitan.

I have mentioned it long time ago. BIAL regardless of its antique design will change the face of B'lore metropolitan forever. quality of infrastructure being built around it is mindblowing. :)

KB335ci

April 11th, 2008, 01:24 AM

Hahahahaahahahahahaahahhahahahaa........this has to be the world's first individual who calls a box-like (cube, rectangular..whatever) design "antique". Good laugh...:D

india

April 11th, 2008, 07:05 AM

jammy97

April 11th, 2008, 07:46 AM

Poll code in, BIA launch event off

From B S Arun, DH News Service, New Delhi:

The Centre has done away with the inaugural function of the Bangalore International Airport (BIA) which was to be flagged off by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in view of the ensuing elections in Karnataka.

With the Assembly polls announced by the Election Commission, the Prime Minister’s Office indicated to the civil aviation ministry not to hold the function to open the airport. Following this, the ministry has decided to cancel the event. However, this would not affect the operational activities of the Bangalore Int’l Airport, which will take off from May 10-11 midnight.

still, not taking chances even regarding the launching of operations, the ministry on Thursday wrote to the Election Commission seeking its clarification/direction regarding the opening of commercial operations of the Devanahalli airport. “We see no problem in the operational launch of the airport. However, from the legal and procedural point of view, we decided to write to the EC”, a ministry official told Deccan Herald.

When pointed out that the polling in Bangalore would be held on May 10, the official pointed out, “We are aware of that. But then, the notification will be in force till the end of the election process which is until after counting on May 25. That’s why we are seeking clarification from the EC”.

The EC model code of conduct expressly prohibits official functions to be attended by ministers. It says: “From the time elections are announced, ministers and other authorities shall not announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof, or lay foundation stone etc of projects or schemes of any kind”. But it does not bar the launch of projects without people’s representatives.

Source: DH news 11th Apr 08 (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr112008/scroll2008041162077.asp?section=updatenews)

barrykul

April 11th, 2008, 08:03 AM

qwertyasd

April 11th, 2008, 08:59 AM

^^^^^ :D :D :D

Silicon_Valley

April 11th, 2008, 09:48 AM

Any news on the leeches/slobs called AAI and their so-called training regimen for getting familiar with equipment. Still cannot believe it takes 5 weeks for these duffers to get familiar, must be one switch at a time, a cup of hot chai, newspaper reading, card playing, paan chewing/spitting, phones calls and the occasional visit by the grand poohbah to make sure he signs the register in triplicate that everything is going A plus. Gosh. Cannot believe that an airport opening would be put of by a month and half just because tax payer subsidized morons need to chew over equipment and become familiar.

It's better to be safe than sorry if something terrible happens. But, the delay is only a lack of communication, co-ordination and vision. They had all the time in the world to get the concerned trained and trained thoroughly. Some things never change! :ohno:

Silicon_Valley

April 11th, 2008, 11:33 AM

http://picasaweb.google.com/rithesh.rg/BengaluruInternationalAirportPrajaVisit/photo#5186127405985932914

Any idea anyone why those holes are assymetrical or rather sans a definite pattern?

Prakash KR

April 11th, 2008, 11:52 AM

Govt may keep old H'bad, B'lore airports open
Sindhu Bhattacharya/ DNA MONEY
Tuesday, 08 April , 2008, 08:40

The new Bangalore airport, which is scheduled to commence operations after May 10, has a traffic capacity of 9 million passengers against the current demand of 10.5 million annually.

Since capacity is short of demand, does it make a case for keeping the old Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) airport in Bangalore open simultaneously?

Demands for keeping old airports operational have been made for Bangalore and Hyderabad, but the two situations are dissimilar. Unlike in Bangalore, the new airport at Hyderabad can handle projected traffic increase from the present seven million to 12 million, for the next five years.

The government is thinking of ways to keep the old airports open at both these locations. According to official sources, the government is well within its power to renegotiate the 25-year clause, which prohibits another airport from coming up till 2033 in both the cities.

This clause forms a part of the concession agreements signed by the government and the respective private developers (GMR-led consortium for Hyderabad and Siemens-led consortium for Bangalore).

Pointing out that in neither of the cases, the airport developers are losing revenue since there is traffic assurance, sources said, in case business prospects of the developer are hurt if the second airports are allowed to function, the government may think of awarding compensation.

"We are not renegotiating contracts with developers at present since we are awaiting court rulings on the public interest litigations, which are demanding that the old airports at both the cities be kept open. If the courts direct us, we will have no choice but to allow the old airports to continue commercial flights. Otherwise the government has the option of renegotiating contracts," sources said.

This thinking on a possible renegotiation of airport contracts comes just when a consolidated policy on airports is expected in a few weeks. Such a view is being aired, despite the government taking a contrarian view in the case of the National Capital Region.

In spite of the Delhi International Airport giving an assurance on capacity generation far outstripping demand till 2026, the government has given an in-principle approval for another international airport at Zevar, Greater Noida.

==================================
Please refer news further at
http://sify.com/finance/fullstory.php?id=14639717

KB335ci

April 11th, 2008, 03:09 PM

^^

Don't go apeshit over it. Just because it's new doesn't automatically make it pretty & efficient. Pay attention to the (constructive) criticism.

A flawed single-level 'structure' (ain't talking about the sub-levels, mind you) coupled with the lack of an access ramp properly segregating the 'Arrival' & 'Departure' pax is the perfect recipe for chaos. This has been a major gripe of many, including mine, from the very beginning.

Anyway, thanks everyone for the pictures. Great effort!

I don't need to be advised on how to judge good design. In this case, I was merely referring to the use of the word 'antique', to describe a box-like structure. I think the design is simple, and looks to be efficient. Only time will tell how the single-level layout affects movement. You never know m8, this layout could be as efficient as 'twas designed to be.

indianocean

April 11th, 2008, 03:44 PM

I have mentioned it long time ago. BIAL regardless of its antique design will change the face of B'lore metropolitan forever. quality of infrastructure being built around it is mindblowing. :)

ur right. If the airport functions right, then it would put BLR in overdrive. IT and BT doubled the growth rate, BIAL could quadruple it....

Are there examples? pics? of things happening around the airport ?

Buccaneer

April 11th, 2008, 05:17 PM

http://picasaweb.google.com/rithesh.rg/BengaluruInternationalAirportPrajaVisit/photo#5186127405985932914

Any idea anyone why those holes are assymetrical or rather sans a definite pattern?

I think it is a temporary wall that would be brought down when the airport terminal expansion starts for the next phase. Anyone, please correct me if I am wrong.

KB335ci

April 11th, 2008, 07:44 PM

Any non-structural wall can be demolished. This wall is no exception. The demolition of this wall will depend on the masterplan. It can be taken down if need be, basically.
The punctured wall, I love, BTW.

mooktada

April 11th, 2008, 08:06 PM

I think it is a temporary wall that would be brought down when the airport terminal expansion starts for the next phase. Anyone, please correct me if I am wrong.

Meh.... If you looked at those holes you'll notice they're strategically placed using some sort of design principle. What they're trying to do is, add a little twist to liven up the symetrical geometric aspect of the rest of the terminal. Can you imagine symetrically placed windows on that? Boring..

Besides if you looked at the renderings that came out, you'd see that those window placements were exactly the same.

Buccaneer

April 11th, 2008, 08:11 PM

Govt may keep old H'bad, B'lore airports open

The government is thinking of ways to keep the old airports open at both these locations. According to official sources, the government is well within its power to renegotiate the 25-year clause, which prohibits another airport from coming up till 2033 in both the cities.

"We are not renegotiating contracts with developers at present since we are awaiting court rulings on the public interest litigations, which are demanding that the old airports at both the cities be kept open. If the courts direct us, we will have no choice but to allow the old airports to continue commercial flights. Otherwise the government has the option of renegotiating contracts," sources said.

This I think, is a serious set back to future PPP joint ventures. :ohno:
However may be the new contracts written and signed The Government will always comeup with changes to it. :bash:

barrykul

April 11th, 2008, 11:50 PM

BIA gets 'safe and sound' nod from the Grand PoohBahs (http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Apr122008/scroll2008041262282.asp)

The Bangalore International Airport (BIA) may not hit any air-pocket this time after all. The civil aviation ministry is satisfied with the progress achieved so far regarding safety issues at the new airport and plans to issue licence by April-end.

Speaking to Deccan Herald here on Friday, Director-General of Civil Aviation Kanu Gohain said: “There should be no problem for the Bangalore airport this time. The progress so far is good at the air traffic control and we may issue licence by the end of this month.”

The airport is scheduled to begin commercial operations of the May 11. The earlier scheduled opening on March 30 was halted by the ministry on safety grounds. It is the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation which issues the crucial airport licence which is the final stamp of certification declaring that the airport is fit for commercial operations. Last time, while the DGCA found the airport fit the bill in most of the 57 parameters that it certifies before issuing the overall licence, it found preparedness on critical safety aspects wanting. To top it, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) asserted that it needed more time for its air traffic controllers for “on-site” training. AAI also installed the equipment relating to CNS-ATM (Communication Navigation Surveillance-Air Traffic Management) late.

The DGCA, while giving its assent, also wants the airport to comply with the “aerodrome manual”. The contents of this manual include: aerodrome site, particulars of aerodrome required to be reported to the aeronautical information service, particulars of aerodrome operating procedures and safety measures, aerodrome administration and safety management system. The DGCA wants the airport operator to submit documents regarding these guidelines for certification.

bgguy

April 12th, 2008, 06:31 AM

Security scares experts (Deccan Chronicle, Tuesday, April 8, 2008)

Hyderabad, April 7: The security and technical lapses that occurred at the new international airport have worried aviation experts. They are particularly concerned at flights to Shamshabad airport being directed by the Begumpet air traffic control tower, and say that it would lead to confusion and even mishaps. "Shamshabad airport is almost 35 km away from Begumpet," said Wing Commander, K.S. Chandrasekhar, who handled air traffic control for more than two decades in the Indian Air Force. "So it is not advisable to give instructions from Begumpet." He added that air traffic controllers should ideally be in a position where they can see flight movements. As per the standards, visual range is considered within 4 km from the ATC tower.

Mr Chandrasekhar and other experts have urged the civil aviation authorities to make immediate arrangements to make Shamshabad ATC fully operational. "This system is not at all advisable for regular operations," he added. Air Commodore, Mr A.K. Venkateswaran, who retired from IAF, said that detection of smoke in a Kingfisher flight was a serious issue. "The civil aviation ministry and GMR group were in a hurry to open the airport and neglected safety aspects completely", he said. However, the Airport Authority of India and the GMR-Hyderabad International Airport Limited continued to term these as initial hiccups.

^^
Yap.! To know the reality of what exactly happening at HIAL ATC, co forumer in Praja has applied RTI application @ MOCA. Lets what answer we get from that.

mailabode

April 12th, 2008, 11:29 AM

Mailabode,

I will try to gather as much information as possible from them. I believe we have just two hours to spend there. The group has already made a huge list of questions, which partly cover your questions on the terminal. I will try to take pics and post them, especially the areas not taken before.

BTW, I got a glimpse on the "Vayu Vajra" bus today. Not surprisingly, it was plying as route no "2" ie from JP Nagar to KBS. Couldnt get a peek at the interors. The exterior is nothing too different from the existing volvos, apart from the silly looking aircraft photograph.

Hi Jammy,
Sorry for the late reply.
Wonderful pictures that you have posted. You have covered almost everything possible. Thanks for taking into account the doubts i had rasied.
Like i suspected they are flat carousels- have seen bags fall of in Chennai and Mumbai before(which wont fall off with slanting ones with a modern design) and havent seen any new foreign airports having them flat.
A multi-level car park is very important in my opinion and if you would visit another time then please do get some snaps of it if they have constructed one.
Hope they finish all the works on time- a lot appears to be incomplete. I imagine it will be a beautiful airport when complete. Hope they start phase 2 soon- maybe they are waiting for the airport to become operational to convince financiers to give them more loans?.
Cheers.

mailabode

April 12th, 2008, 11:47 AM

idontspam

April 12th, 2008, 12:25 PM

Bangalore airport launch delay costs BIAL Rs 40 cr
(http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2008/04/12/stories/2008041250790700.htm)
New target date fixed as May 11

“The infrastructure and everything is there, our people are there, but there is no revenue.” – Mr Albert Brunner.

Mr Albert Brunner

Madhumathi D.S.

Bangalore, April 11 The 40-day postponement of its commercial launch is apparently costing the Bangalore airport developer BIAL almost Rs 40 crore.

It is very important for BIAL to have the new target date and to stick to it. “We now aim for the 11th of May,” Mr Albert Brunner, CEO of BIAL, said.

“We have a loss of approximately Rs 40 crore, at roughly a crore a day. The infrastructure and everything is there, our people are there, but there is no revenue,” Mr Brunner told Business Line.

BIAL’s revenue comes from 3-4 categories of airport users: the user development fee charged on departing passengers; from airlines as landing and parking fees; and from its various concessionaires who have to pay royalties or a pre-negotiated percentage of their turnover to the company. The main aviation and non-aviation businesses currently include two each of aviation fuel farm operators; cargo- and ground handlers; food and beverage outlets; retail businesses; and in-flight caterers.

He did not say if he had counted all these sources in the revenue plan or how much came from each category.

BIAL had planned to start operations of the Rs 2,500-crore greenfield airport on March 30. The Ministry of Civil Aviation stalled it till May 10 as AAI’s air traffic controllers sought more time to train on the site.

“We are disappointed with [the postponement.],” Mr Brunner said. “The concessionaires accept it as they are certain that it is out of our control. So far they have reacted very reasonably. But they will not be if it is postponed again.”
TALKS ON USER FEE

The July 2004 concession agreement with the Ministry of Civil Aviation allows BIAL to charge the airport user fee or UDF of Rs 675 on domestic and Rs 955 on international travellers. User groups have questioned this levy. This is also an issue on the public interest litigation filed in the Karnataka High Court.

Mr Brunner admitted that on the one side, there was pressure from the Government to slash the UDF, in particular on domestic travel, as in the case of the Hyderabad airport. On the other, IATA, the nodal air travel body, had backed BIAL’s levy, while not approving two rates for domestic and foreign travellers who used the same facilities.

He said, “We are in discussion [with the Government] and have almost found each other. We have to negotiate with them on what is a reasonable amount. However, I have not received formal confirmation from them to say what we have agreed on.”

BIAL, he said, was firm on having a minimum level of the UDF to cover its investments so far and an upcoming expansion. “Otherwise we cannot survive.”

Illusionist

April 12th, 2008, 10:41 PM

KB335ci

April 12th, 2008, 11:03 PM

Excellent pics! To be honest, I didn't expect anything less from BIAL - from the very beginning, I'm sure many of us could tell that this terminal would end-up looking gorgeous (and I hate to use the term 'world-class' nowadays).

Illusionist

April 12th, 2008, 11:11 PM

i would spare the word world class to this airport... BIAL deserves it..

KB335ci

April 12th, 2008, 11:14 PM

You didn't get what I meant...

bhargavsura

April 13th, 2008, 03:16 AM

Excellent pictures. Indrajal.com, Thanks for sharing.

Just can't wait to see live in action!!!

:cheers:

CapeComorin

April 13th, 2008, 05:04 AM

Thanks for the wonderful pictures. To keep this airport world class, several things need to happen, so that it doesn't end up like LHR T4!

1. Short lines at check-in - need sufficient manned counters.
2. World-class maintenance, especially of escalators!
3. All security lanes to be manned - see what goes wrong when you don't - T4 again.
4. All emigration desks to be manned - that's an awkward spot for long lines to form.
5. Inbound Immigration needs to also be manned adequately - like DEL.
6. Most of all, keeping the place clean!

Some questions:

1. What has been the Indian experience of sarees+escalators?
2. What is the walkway above the departures area - is it for inbound traffic?
3. Likewise, where do those escalators lead to?
4. There are 20 gates marked on the floor plan , but only 9 physical gates - some kind of sharing?

I can't wait to try out BIAL soon! It's already World Class Plus and the trick will be keeping it that way in real life.

world1

April 13th, 2008, 07:41 AM

ITS OFFICIAL THAT THE AIRPORT WOULD OPEN ON MAY 11th......its come in TOI and thts very gud news!!!!

ullasavadan

April 13th, 2008, 08:45 AM

heavenlyabode

April 13th, 2008, 10:10 AM

Awesome! Work on roads are still going on as in the pics but i am sure it would have a top class finish. Great work BIAL!

bhargavsura

April 13th, 2008, 01:59 PM

AHA!! Finally Official news of the opening of the Airport!

sammyk

April 13th, 2008, 09:59 PM

i recommend you guys see the large size pics
they laid out tiles even in the parking area
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoyogi/2408386858/sizes/o/
all credits go to photoyogi

Is that parking lot really made up of tiles? Maybe that's where all the money went! :D Could have had the same effect with stained/tinted and scored concrete.

Babji

April 13th, 2008, 10:18 PM

Some questions:

1. What has been the Indian experience of sarees+escalators?
2. What is the walkway above the departures area - is it for inbound traffic?
3. Likewise, where do those escalators lead to?
4. There are 20 gates marked on the floor plan , but only 9 physical gates - some kind of sharing?

here are some answers. there could be more answers/views from more forumers which are very welcome!
1. Indian women are quite skilled with their Saree skills. They could even walk thru knee deep waters without letting their saree wet. Some women can run to catch city buses in urban areas. Many women can sport high heels with Sarees without much trouble. so escalators are No problems!
2. I would guess you are refering to the canopy in front of the main entrance. according to sources, that is to provide for additional area for arriving/departing passengers (some kind of a horizontal split). They might use one area for VIP travellers and the other rea for general public. yes, protocol for VIP travellers is big deal in India. there are too many of them (VIP)s and they travel too often and with too many escorts.
3. IMO, Departing pax will take escalators/elevators/stairs UP to the check-in level, pass through passport control/security and head to their respective gates.
Arriving pax will deplane, take escalators/elevators/stairs to descend one level to collect baggage and pass through customs/immigration security and out into the main hall.
- not sure
4. perhaps the floor plan includes some future expansion ...
hope this helps.

CapeComorin

April 14th, 2008, 02:02 AM

Thanks, Babji!

I do hope that BLR will now get many more international flights, especially from Indian carriers! I eagerly look forward to the day when I can fly NYC-BLR nonstop - looks like CO will be the first.

mashimama

April 14th, 2008, 03:35 AM

about 20 gates and only 8 (?) aero bridges: several airports i have travelled through have the gates configures so that one aerobridge serves two gate areas. my guess is taht is what is being done in BIA. assuming two gates to 1 bridge, the remaining gates are merely steps that lead you down to a bus boarding area for domestic flights that are parked in bays, not bridges.

Thanks for the wonderful pictures. To keep this airport world class, several things need to happen, so that it doesn't end up like LHR T4!

1. Short lines at check-in - need sufficient manned counters.
2. World-class maintenance, especially of escalators!
3. All security lanes to be manned - see what goes wrong when you don't - T4 again.
4. All emigration desks to be manned - that's an awkward spot for long lines to form.
5. Inbound Immigration needs to also be manned adequately - like DEL.
6. Most of all, keeping the place clean!

Some questions:

1. What has been the Indian experience of sarees+escalators?
2. What is the walkway above the departures area - is it for inbound traffic?
3. Likewise, where do those escalators lead to?
4. There are 20 gates marked on the floor plan , but only 9 physical gates - some kind of sharing?

I can't wait to try out BIAL soon! It's already World Class Plus and the trick will be keeping it that way in real life.

Silicon_Valley

April 14th, 2008, 03:58 AM

1. Indian women are quite skilled with their Saree skills. They could even walk thru knee deep waters without letting their saree wet. Some women can run to catch city buses in urban areas. Many women can sport high heels with Sarees without much trouble. so escalators are No problems!

:lol: true :lol:

Silicon_Valley

April 14th, 2008, 04:01 AM

Illusionist

April 14th, 2008, 07:13 AM

thanks for the nice words guys...
i will keep on posting as i find good pics

lionrapier

April 14th, 2008, 07:14 AM

new sets of pics from photoyogi...
lol couldnt wait for him to post them himself so i am doing the honors....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoyogi/sets/72157604499999924/

look at the finishing, street lamps, landscaping,transparent drop ceiling , floors .... man o man.... landscaping is just better than most of the world class airports...
i recommend you guys see the large size pics
they laid out tiles even in the parking area
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photoyogi/2408386858/sizes/o/
all credits go to photoyogi

I think the Aholes were so tired of seeing their own kind in wal-marts , spoke too soon! I being a world traveller, I believe the swiss-L&T-Siemens consortium have done the very best. Cant compare it to any existing standards.

I agree that its early stages to comment eitherways, but it requires what it takes to handle a growing traffic ahead of conceptualization/conceptualisation.

I dont think anyone else could have done more justice to this airport. HYderabda govt wanted to start the airport earlier than BIAL to score points with Sonia and People of AP, the loser was GMR.

I know this will atract lot of criticisms but to be honest its high time we shed the bias to skin color when we appreciate the work(overall I mean, not cosmetic). BEING A FREQUENT TRAVELLER, i NEVER APPRECIATED AIRPORTS BY THEIR APPEARANCE BUT DEFINITELY LOVED THEM BY THEIR EFFICIENCY IN SENDING ME TO MY NEXT DESTINATION ONTIME! (Some might say its airlines, we have a different level to argue about)

Bengaluru, the best name anyone could have chosen to BIAL withouth licking polictical bosses asses like GMR naming HYD as RGandhi, will atleast not be dealt like an ineficient AAI airport anymore, the first airport in this politically dioriented country to be dealt professionally is BIAL:cheers:

ullasavadan

April 14th, 2008, 07:34 AM

lionrapier

April 14th, 2008, 09:15 AM

Bengaluru, the best name anyone could have chosen to BIAL withouth licking polictical bosses asses like GMR naming HYD as RGandhi, will atleast not be dealt like an ineficient AAI airport anymore, the first airport in this politically dioriented country to be dealt professionally is BIAL:cheers:

I agree with u. By naming the airport by city name, they have avoided all ugly controversies. This is the best way to name the airports else we will have more Rgandhi, Igandhi and even Sgandhi and forget the real heroes like Kempe Gowda, Visveswariah and et all.[/QUOTE]

:banana::banana::banana:
Thanks to the president's rule, BLR is seeing the world class airport with well tested ATC, unlike shamshabad controlled by ATC from old begumpet in HYD creating life threatening emergencies!!!!. Mar 30 was named prior with consultantion with DGowda and his sons and or their "coalition" partners i guess. :nuts:

Thank god BIAL is going operational when political bastards are dead in the state. Hope that there is no hinderance in future:bash::bash::bash::bash::lol:

Prodigist

April 14th, 2008, 12:08 PM

I dont think anyone else could have done more justice to this airport. HYderabda govt wanted to start the airport earlier than BIAL to score points with Sonia and People of AP, the loser was GMR.

the first airport in this politically dioriented country to be dealt professionally is BIAL:cheers:

Well GMR is the winner by opening the airport when its ready:) and its HYD, AP thats scored the points because of GMR and not at its cost.
Its Common Sense to open a project as soon as it ready to earn back the investments.And safety was never compromised as AAI runs the ATC's at both Begumpet and HIAL.Unfortunately BIAL got its equipment late and on top of it AAI doesnot run any ATC's in or around bangalore.

Coming to your post about Professionalism, let me ask you some questions
1) Dint BIAL get rapped by the MoCA for its low termminal capacity??After
that the capacity was to 12 million.
2)Dint BIAL screw up its traffic projections??
3)BIAL had achieved its financial closure about 2 months before HIAL and
thats quite a headstart but still ended up opening 50 days late:lol:

indianocean

April 14th, 2008, 03:25 PM

Well GMR is the winner by opening the airport when its ready:) and its HYD, AP thats scored the points because of GMR and not at its cost.
Its Common Sense to open a project as soon as it ready to earn back the investments.And safety was never compromised as AAI runs the ATC's at both Begumpet and HIAL.Unfortunately BIAL got its equipment late and on top of it AAI doesnot run any ATC's in or around bangalore.

Coming to your post about Professionalism, let me ask you some questions
1) Dint BIAL get rapped by the MoCA for its low termminal capacity??After
that the capacity was to 12 million.
2)Dint BIAL screw up its traffic projections??
3)BIAL had achieved its financial closure about 2 months before HIAL and
thats quite a headstart but still ended up opening 50 days late:lol:

:lol: good points.
We should not take frequent world travellers seriously because they will always be in a perpetual jet lag and sleeping all the time. They are so used to travelling that they wouldnt mind a broken system.

Looking at the new pics, I think it is clear to all that the delay is God's gift to BIAL. They were simply not ready in March. If they were'nt at fault, then they would have said so in the media "well, we handed over the ATC to the AIA 5 years ago...blah blah..."

I think they are making good use of extra time. In fact, it would be better if the airport gets delayed by 3 more months.. They should open on Aug 15, to signal the arrival of the new age. That way they will have the time to make a best and lasting first impression.

indianocean

April 14th, 2008, 03:31 PM

bhargavsura

April 14th, 2008, 03:53 PM

raghussc

April 14th, 2008, 04:13 PM

yea, from the pictures, even HIAL's parking lot seems to be laid out using cement tiles one just one color ... anything great ?

Agree or disagree, Bangalore's image has taken a beating with the airport delay, whatever maybe the reason. BIAL was just not ready by March 29th to open up, that everyone agrees after looking at Praja trip pictures. This extra time has given BIAL to even put up a canopy over the access road which we haven't seen in any pictures prior to postponement, right ? as well, the trumpet interchange will be ready too .. and the KF lounge will be ready too ...

think bangalore ppl shud cut the ribbon themselves just like Delhites did on a bridge opening if govt postpones it again ... enuf of politicians posing on openings ...

looking fwd to true airport in Bengaluru ..

metalfan

April 14th, 2008, 06:41 PM

The pixs look awesome. Its finally heartening to see airports in India that can now be compared to their counterparts among the world. The Bangalore airport should have happened long ago, but better late than never. Congrats to the residents of Bangalore and Karnataka. :)

Now, hopefully we can get something going in my hometown (Chennai/Madras). :ohno:

- K

barrykul

April 14th, 2008, 07:55 PM

That is something that HIAL cannot do because grass cannot grow well and will dry off every summar in semi-arid HYD

This is a silly observation. All it takes is good fertilizer and water to preserve lawns, lawns grow great in desert climes of Las Vegas and Palm Springs, California. HIAL crew maintenance is all that is needed to get great lawns.

For BIAL, there are structural issues still staring in its face, no matter how shiny/gleamy things are built. If BIAL runs things efficiently, they still have issues like traffic volumes to contend with. BIAL traffic volume is probably more than HIAL. Kingfisher and Jet can increase their direct to US flights quite easily. Many World destinations want to fly right into the "Silicon Valley" of India. A direct SJC to Bluru would be very appealing! Jet will start on May 5 SFO - Shanghai - Mumbai flights. If BIAL is open by then maybe SFO - Shanghai/HongKong - Bluru is possible.

Both Kingfisher/Jet should have more flights from the US West Coast. Seattle, SFO, LAX to say HongKong and Hongkong to Bluru/Chennai, Kolkatta/Hyd, Delhi, Mumbai would wean away traffic from SIA/Cathay Pacific/Malaysian/Thai and China Airways.

mashimama

April 14th, 2008, 09:52 PM

Agree. similar to what they have off the east coast (EWR/JFK/Toronto) to (BOM/DEL/MAA) via Brussels, it will be good to have something like

(SEA/SFO/LAX) to (HYD/BLR/Kolkata) via Tokyo, Seoul or Shanghai.

Apart from the US to INdia traffic, there is considerable traffic to these intermediate destinations also.

Let us hope ;-)

Both Kingfisher/Jet should have more flights from the US West Coast. Seattle, SFO, LAX to say HongKong and Hongkong to Bluru/Chennai, Kolkatta/Hyd, Delhi, Mumbai would wean away traffic from SIA/Cathay Pacific/Malaysian/Thai and China Airways.

sammyk

April 14th, 2008, 10:52 PM

The landscape is awesome. Hopefully they will maintain it forever like this.

I am not sure about the tiles in the parking lot. They could have just used the regular parking model, why would they use tiles?

I know I commented on them before. After my post I saw more pictures and they aren't quite tiles but concrete pavers. Usually used for walkways and driveways and rarely for parking lots and usually small ones due to all the labor involved. I guess they could do it with the cheap labor but over time it's not gonna looks so nice.

bhargavsura

April 15th, 2008, 02:09 AM

I think the chances of the tiles coming off are more than the roads developing potholes!

jammy97

April 15th, 2008, 05:32 AM

This is a silly observation. All it takes is good fertilizer and water to preserve lawns, lawns grow great in desert climes of Las Vegas and Palm Springs, California. HIAL crew maintenance is all that is needed to get great lawns.

For BIAL, there are structural issues still staring in its face, no matter how shiny/gleamy things are built. If BIAL runs things efficiently, they still have issues like traffic volumes to contend with. BIAL traffic volume is probably more than HIAL. Kingfisher and Jet can increase their direct to US flights quite easily. Many World destinations want to fly right into the "Silicon Valley" of India. A direct SJC to Bluru would be very appealing! Jet will start on May 5 SFO - Shanghai - Mumbai flights. If BIAL is open by then maybe SFO - Shanghai/HongKong - Bluru is possible.

Both Kingfisher/Jet should have more flights from the US West Coast. Seattle, SFO, LAX to say HongKong and Hongkong to Bluru/Chennai, Kolkatta/Hyd, Delhi, Mumbai would wean away traffic from SIA/Cathay Pacific/Malaysian/Thai and China Airways.

Barrykul, Kingfisher grants your wish!!

"Kingfisher Airlines is likely to commence international operations from August. It will initially start its operations to destinations like San Francisco, London, New York from the Bangalore Airport. "
Source: Rediff 15th Apr '08 (http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2008/apr/15king.htm)

Its good to see Bangalore being connected non stop to some international destinations through a world class airline! Good for BIA as well.

You are right about the terminal capacity and the design. There is nothing one can do now though. Even the extended version of this terminal is going to have the same one level approach. However, Geeta the Architect for BIAL told us during our visit (See Bangalore Praja (http://bangalore.praja.in/blog/silkboard/2008/04/06/bial-trip-reports-photos-and-impressions)) that a two level approach may be considered for the next terminal.

Also, there is already expansion work going on. Already 30 new aircraft stands (probably a few of them would have aerobridge contact) are coming up.

krinix

April 15th, 2008, 05:53 AM

I think the chances of the tiles coming off are more than the roads developing potholes!

I wonder if that was implemented for better tyre grip and encourage carefull driving into the parking lot.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2156/2408384390_7e9904b375_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3195/2407552833_8f8ed9300a_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3143/2408383722_391091556e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2419/2408386858_43947979cb_o.jpg

Note the white slabs for driveway and red slabs for parking. Will come in handy as a marker.
Bangalore foothpaths and walkways are notorios to have such slabs not implemented properly without having a good base and loosly placing the slabs together. This ceratinly is shoddy work by the BMP. So it comes as no surprise to see the slabs strewn around just after few days.

The Slab architecture will work great if its implemented and maintained properly.

If you flip through the history pages of Europe, you'd be surprised to find that europeans was the first to have this kind of stones/Slabs impleted even on streets. I dont know why it was done. but let me tell you, it was very cool. It looked medieval and classic.

I think there is a name for this architecture , which I will dig deep into www to find out.

Coming back to BIAL parking lots, I think they did it on purpose.
Slab placing is time consuming and pricey. They could have prefered a plain spread of concrete in one go, which they didnt choose.

sammyk

April 15th, 2008, 06:31 AM

^^

I think you are referring to cobblestone paving. I suppose they used that method as it was better than a dirt or gravel road and they didn't have the technology to lay asphalt or concrete for roads. Those cobblestone roads can still be found in Europe both exposed and buried under layers of asphalt. Nowadays it's just decor.

I suppose the different colors help identify where to park but it's clearly marked out by the curbs anyway. They didn't have to use these pavers to get that result or for better traction. Ultimately they are just concrete.

I think the chances of the tiles coming off are more than the roads developing potholes!

I'm not talking about them coming off. These pavers are usually laid on a layer of sand and constant vehicular traffic usually makes them give way. Then they start to buckle and then yes they come out. It's a pain in the ass to fix them.

krinix

April 15th, 2008, 06:46 AM

^^

I think you are referring to cobblestone paving. I suppose they used that method as it was better than a dirt or gravel road and they didn't have the technology to lay asphalt or concrete for roads. Those cobblestone roads can still be found in Europe both exposed and buried under layers of asphalt. Nowadays it's just decor.

I suppose the different colors help identify where to park but it's clearly marked out by the curbs anyway. They didn't have to use these pavers to get that result or for better traction. Ultimately they are just concrete.

I'm not talking about them coming off. These pavers are usually laid on a layer of sand and constant vehicular traffic usually makes them give way. Then they start to buckle and then yes they come out. It's a pain in the ass to fix them.

Thanks for the insight man. I now woner why they laid it out.

sammyk

April 15th, 2008, 06:53 AM

Aesthetics I guess. Really the only reason anyone would use those.

Silicon_Valley

April 15th, 2008, 09:49 AM

IMO, the parking should have been facilitated at an angle. From the markers, looks as though they are straight.

Nelaturi

April 15th, 2008, 11:37 AM

Aesthetics I guess. Really the only reason anyone would use those.

Well, aesthetics plays a major role, as the tiles can be laid in beautiful patterns or in clear demarcations based on color, as in the case of BIAL parking.

I have seen this used in many countries particularly in parking areas. Also, seen how they are laid and when properly done, the tiles interlock in such a fashion that they cannot be budged. Firstly, the base is levelled using a compacting machine / road roller. The bordering areas / kerbs are cemented and the tiles laid from end to end. The gaps between the borders and the last set of tiles are filled in by further pieces chipped into required shape and cemented in. Then a loose layer of sand is spread on the surface and a compacting machine (this is hand-held type) then pushes the sand into the interlock gaps. Once this is done, the surface is as compact and smooth as a road.

Of course, one is not supposed to drive fast on these tiles, and as such cannot, as they are laid in parking zones with kerbs jutting out and so on. Since BIAL is a private holding and is not, thankfully, going to be maintained by our destructive PWD type of agencies, one hopes that this will last long.

Nelaturi

April 15th, 2008, 11:57 AM

here are some answers. there could be more answers/views from more forumers which are very welcome!
3. IMO, Departing pax will take escalators/elevators/stairs UP to the check-in level, pass through passport control/security and head to their respective gates.
Arriving pax will deplane, take escalators/elevators/stairs to descend one level to collect baggage and pass through customs/immigration security and out into the main hall.
- not sure
4. perhaps the floor plan includes some future expansion ...
hope this helps.

Guys,

Check-in counters (53 of them plus some more of the self-checkin types) are on the ground floor. As I'd mentioned earlier, there is no segregation of domestic and international check in. After check-in, passengers move to first floor via escalators, stairs, lifts. Here, the international passengers move to the right towards immigration, customs and security. Domestic move to the left to security gates. There are 8 security gates for domestic.

Arriving passengers, those disembarking through the aero-bridges have to get down to the ground floor using escalators, stairs to baggage claim.

There are 20 boarding gates. 8 aero-bridges, with one having double wings. Each aer-bridge has only one boarding gate associated. Rest will use buses to be driven to the aircrafts for boarding.

Current plan can handle 12 million pax. Final plan will handle 45-50 m. A second runway will be built about 1.9 kms south of the current one, with a new terminal building. The final plan envisages a three sided rectangular building around the parking areas and hotel.

Prakash KR

April 15th, 2008, 12:37 PM

Wait a minute, BIAL estimate/projection and initial plan was for 9 million pax and recent newspaper reports also confirmed this. How come suddenly you say that BIAL can handle 12 million pax? Do you have any proof whether BIAL can handle 12 million pax without congestions?

Silicon_Valley

April 15th, 2008, 01:36 PM

Nelaturi

April 15th, 2008, 02:04 PM

^^That's what I recall the BIAL PR guy mentioning when we visited there. I don't have the material handed out with me now, but can verify and post the figure.

Nelaturi

April 15th, 2008, 02:39 PM

BIAL - facts and stats (PR sheet) Thanks to Silkboard on Bangalore.praja.in

http://bangalore.praja.in/blog/silkboard/2008/04/06/bial-trip-reports-photos-and-impressions#comment-2643

Quick Facts

Distance from CBD (MG Road) 34 km

Land area Spread over an area of approx.4000 acres

Airport Capacity On AOD – 12 million passengers per
annum
On final project realization – 40
to 50 million passengers per annum

Passenger flow at the Terminal building Accommodates 2733 passengers at peak hour

Passenger transfer (domestic and international) under one roof

Short ways for passenger convenience

Common use of check-in counters

Passenger experience combines business and leisure

Check in counters CUTE enabled check in counters: 53

Self Check-in counters: 18

Runway Details
4 km length, 60 meters wide with three rapid exit ways

Runway capacity
30 aircraft movements during peak hour

Current aircraft movement in Bangalore
440 aircraft movements are expected daily in May, 2008

Capacity of cargo warehouse
300,000 tons annually.

Boarding gates and aerobridges
Total boarding gates: 20

Aerobridges: 8 (one double arm)

9 remote bus bays

indianocean

April 15th, 2008, 07:14 PM

mailabode

April 15th, 2008, 07:31 PM

^^

I think you are referring to cobblestone paving. I suppose they used that method as it was better than a dirt or gravel road and they didn't have the technology to lay asphalt or concrete for roads. Those cobblestone roads can still be found in Europe both exposed and buried under layers of asphalt. Nowadays it's just decor.

I suppose the different colors help identify where to park but it's clearly marked out by the curbs anyway. They didn't have to use these pavers to get that result or for better traction. Ultimately they are just concrete.

I'm not talking about them coming off. These pavers are usually laid on a layer of sand and constant vehicular traffic usually makes them give way. Then they start to buckle and then yes they come out. It's a pain in the ass to fix them.

I now remember reading somewhere in the BIAL site that this car park would be temporary(its not permanent and so the kind of material used?). There is going to be a multi-level parking lot somewhere i believe.
Technology- You mean the technoogy is not in India- or - BIAL(Siemens or Zurich airports) does not have the technology to lay asphalt?.

sammyk

April 15th, 2008, 08:53 PM

Well, aesthetics plays a major role, as the tiles can be laid in beautiful patterns or in clear demarcations based on color, as in the case of BIAL parking.

I have seen this used in many countries particularly in parking areas. Also, seen how they are laid and when properly done, the tiles interlock in such a fashion that they cannot be budged. Firstly, the base is levelled using a compacting machine / road roller. The bordering areas / kerbs are cemented and the tiles laid from end to end. The gaps between the borders and the last set of tiles are filled in by further pieces chipped into required shape and cemented in. Then a loose layer of sand is spread on the surface and a compacting machine (this is hand-held type) then pushes the sand into the interlock gaps. Once this is done, the surface is as compact and smooth as a road.

Of course, one is not supposed to drive fast on these tiles, and as such cannot, as they are laid in parking zones with kerbs jutting out and so on. Since BIAL is a private holding and is not, thankfully, going to be maintained by our destructive PWD type of agencies, one hopes that this will last long.

Yah, I helped a friend make a patio with one of these things. The edge, or soldier course, doesn't necessarily have to be cemented in though. You can use a plastic edge spiked into the ground to hold those in place. I guess in commercial use though they use concrete. Anyways, regular traffic will cause depressions, same as asphalt. Just harder to replace.

I guess as the person above states it's temporary so I guess it makes sense they can reuse the pavers. Probably would have been cheaper overall to just use asphalt and break it up later.

sammyk

April 15th, 2008, 08:54 PM

Technology- You mean the technoogy is not in India- or - BIAL(Siemens or Zurich airports) does not have the technology to lay asphalt?.

That comment was referring to why they used cobblestones ages ago in Europe, etc.

mailabode

April 15th, 2008, 09:39 PM

barrykul

April 15th, 2008, 09:54 PM

jammy97, thanks man. I want KF to put those other airlines out of business by ferrying Indians from videsh.

ON Cobblestone: need to have proper prep of surface with gravel and sand, otherwise in say a few years u will see grass/weeds growing from the cracks/joints.

can someone comment on the two lane roads. why two lanes with absolutely no pull over lane. this is a mistake; what happens when a vehicle breaks down; a whole lane is clobbered; the pavements are brought in so close to the lane marker. are the guys who plan such roads ever think of expanding traffic and the need for safety and other conditions; very depressing to see such myopic execution.

sammyk

April 15th, 2008, 10:33 PM

^^ Barry, cobblestones are set in concrete. The brick pavers used at the airport are not permanently attached and are set on a bed of sand. Unless they sprayed a vegetation killer and used weed block sheeting the weeds will show up. They'll show up anyway eventually. You can only slow them down, not stop them.

jammy97

April 16th, 2008, 07:40 AM

This is what I found on the BIAL website that says the airport has been designed for the following traffic projections! So, as per this data, the maximum traffic they are expecting by 2010 is 1 crore (10 million) passengers. So, that's not even this year! But still concerns have been raised that the traffic has already surpassed the capacity of BIA. If the projection for 2010 is 10 million and BIA has a capacity to handle 12 million already, what's the fuss at this point in time? What am I missing here?

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8290/trafficyy3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Silicon Valley,

Any building cannot have an exact passenger capacity. This happens due to fluctuating traffic on a daily basis. It would be safe to say that BIA capacity could be between 10-11 million passengers.

Its also unfortunate that the media doesnt take notice of intricate details. Most of the time, it is second hand information that they receive which they claim is correct. Two different media reports can be quite conflicting.

About "connectivity"
TOI reports today about "connectivity issues". It has come in the paper not less than 10 times before and yet they report it. It sometimes reflects the narrow minded approach that people can have. You cannot have a 4000 acre airport in the heart of the city. Although the government has woken up late to this issue, they are making arrangements for better connectivity. Besides, it doesnt take 2.5 hours-3 hours to reach BIAL.

Silicon_Valley

April 16th, 2008, 07:57 AM

Silicon Valley,

Any building cannot have an exact passenger capacity. This happens due to fluctuating traffic on a daily basis. It would be safe to say that BIA capacity could be between 10-11 million passengers.

Its also unfortunate that the media doesnt take notice of intricate details. Most of the time, it is second hand information that they receive which they claim is correct. Two different media reports can be quite conflicting.

About "connectivity"
TOI reports today about "connectivity issues". It has come in the paper not less than 10 times before and yet they report it. It sometimes reflects the narrow minded approach that people can have. You cannot have a 4000 acre airport in the heart of the city. Although the government has woken up late to this issue, they are making arrangements for better connectivity. Besides, it doesnt take 2.5 hours-3 hours to reach BIAL.

I agree with you on the capacity front though I felt we are safe at least till 2012 and unless they screw up big time with phase 2, we would have achieved the capacity again by then.

Regarding connectivity, I must say, it is an exaggeration to some extent on the part of the media. I live in south Bangalore which is easily more than 40 kms from Devanahalli. I have traveled a lot of times to the Hebbal flyover at different times of the day and it takes me around 45 mins to 1 hour to reach Hebbal flyover. Normally, the last 20 kms to the airport from there will take around 20 more minutes. So, that's around 75 mins-85 mins in all. Add to that 30 mins during peak hour traffic as the worst case (also considering increase in traffic when airport opens) and that will give you a time less than 2 hours to reach the airport from South Bangalore.