Bengaluru May See HAL Airport Reopen: Meeting Scheduled in March

Why Reopening HAL Airport Matters

HAL Airport, located just 13 km from Vidhana Soudha, functioned as Bengaluru’s main airport until 2008, when Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Devanahalli took over. However, with Bengaluru’s exponential growth and increasing air traffic, there is a growing push to revive HAL Airport as a domestic airport to enhance connectivity and reduce congestion.

Tejasvi Surya, Member of Parliament from Bengaluru South, is one of the key proponents of this move. He argues that reopening HAL Airport would:

Provide a commercial airport facility closer to the city center
Augment BIAL’s capacity without requiring major new infrastructure
Generate additional revenue for both HAL and BIAL
Improve regional air connectivity, particularly for passengers from Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh

Surya has also suggested integrating HAL Airport with Bengaluru’s metro network, making it more accessible for business travelers who need to make quick trips without traveling to Devanahalli.

Urban Experts and Industry Leaders Weigh In

The discussion has also drawn the attention of urban planners and aviation experts. Civic evangelist V Ravichandar considers HAL Airport an underutilized asset, stating that it should be leveraged instead of allowing it to remain idle.

However, challenges remain. When Kempegowda International Airport was built, an agreement was made to ensure no other airport operated within a 150 km radius until 2033. Some experts believe that discussions must focus on amending this agreement while ensuring fair competition.

Aviation Pioneer Supports Reopening

Capt G R Gopinath, founder of Air Deccan, has been vocal about the need for multiple airports to avoid monopolies and bring down airfares. He believes that allowing competition among airports will ultimately lead to better services and more affordable options for travelers.

Gopinath also suggests an additional airport in Bidadi or Tumakuru, as well as another in Hosur, which would benefit those in Electronics City and Jigani. His vision aligns with global cities like London, Washington D.C., and Hong Kong, where multiple airports serve different parts of the region efficiently.

A Growing Need for More Airports

BIAL, which currently manages KIA, reported that the airport handled 4.07 crore passengers in 2024, up from 3.72 crore in 2023. With increasing passenger numbers, experts argue that having multiple airports is no longer a luxury but a necessity.

As the parliamentary session begins on March 10, efforts to push forward the reopening of HAL Airport will intensify. With growing support from urban planners and aviation experts, Bengaluru could see a significant shift in its air travel infrastructure in the coming years.