Centre not to retain HAL, Begumpet airports

The Centre is opposed to keeping the existing airports in Bangalore and Hyderabad open after the international airports in these two cities become operational later this month.

Two days ago, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport and Tourism had recommended that HAL airport in Bangalore and Begumpet airport in Hyderabad be kept open.

Union Civil Aviation Secretary Ashok Chawla today said it was not possible for the government to retain both these airports as the Centre's agreements with the promoters of the new airports granted them exclusive rights over the airspace of these cities.

According to the agreement, HAL airport has to be closed down once the new airport near Devanahalli is operational.

A petition filed by a Bangalore-based advocate seeking continuation of the operation of HAL airport has been adjourned till March 10 by the high court. A similar petition has been filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

"We will respond to the petitions as per the agreement and policy. We cannot retain both the existing airports," said Chawla, who is on a visit to Bangalore international airport to witness flight trials.

On the recommendation by the Parliamentary Standing Committee, Chawla said, "The government will examine the recommendations of the committee and respond accordingly."

Earlier in the day, Kingfisher Airlines, Air Deccan and the Indian Air Force participated in trials at the new Bangalore airport.

The trial started with the landing of a Kingfisher flight from Mumbai at 10 am. It was followed by a Deccan flight at 11:06 am. The Kingfisher flight tested the international arrival process while Deccan used the remote parking bay and tested the domestic arrival process. Close to 400 people participated in the trial run.

An aircraft of Air India will be the first to fly out of the new airport on March 30.