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Phase 1 of the plan will extend the airport’s area to 32,000 square metres, with a brand-new terminal building.
The airport, which operates 24/7 with a single runway and 30 parking spots, will undergo significant changes.(Photo: Times Property)
Bengaluru’s HAL Airport is set to undergo a major transformation with a master plan approved by the Chairman of the Airports Authority of India (AAI), sources say.
The airport, which served the city’s air traffic needs until 2008, will be revamped to cater to a growing demand for air travel.
Currently, HAL Airport handles about 12 small aircraft daily, including those used by defence forces, VIPs, and private firms. The airport has a single runway with 30 parking spots and operates 24/7.
According to The New Indian Express, the new master plan, which will remain in effect until 2047, is designed to handle 4 million passengers per year and up to 2,500 passengers during peak hours. Back in 2007-08, just before passenger operations moved to Kempegowda International Airport, HAL served over a million passengers.
Phase 1 of the plan will expand the airport area from 21,885 sqm to 32,000 sqm. The existing terminal building will be demolished and replaced with a new one, with separate levels for ‘Arrivals’ and ‘Departures’. A multi-level car park, with space for 500 cars, will also be built. Additionally, the two-lane road in front of the terminal will be widened to four lanes.
While the runway, which is 3,306 metres long and 61 metres wide, will remain unchanged, it is considered one of the best in the country.
A key source revealed that the exclusivity agreement between HAL and Bangalore International Airport Limited, which restricts other airports within a 150 km radius, ends in May 2033.
By then, Bengaluru will have a second airport. However, with the city’s explosive growth, demand for air travel will continue to rise, making the airport’s upgrade crucial.
Opened in 1941, HAL Airport began commercial operations in 1946 and could play a vital role in the Regional Connectivity Scheme (UDAAN), providing connections to nearby cities. The cost of the overhaul is yet to be finalised, but travellers will benefit from improved amenities once the plan is completed.
