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In the continuing series of interviews with Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) CEO Marcel Hungerbuehler on the first anniversary of Bengaluru International Airport, yesterday in part three, we focussed on the airlines. Today in part four we focus on the future and expansion of the airport.
Part 4 – The future expansion of Bengaluru International Airport
Q1. Is BIAL committed to the “Express Terminal” ?
Q2. Many people believe that the express terminal is going to be of a “non-permanent” design, and may not offer all the amenities as the regular T1. It will in effect lower the current brand positioning of BIA.
i. BIAL’s response on this?
ii. Can BIAL share some plans / drawings / artists impressions ?
Q3. What are your plans for T2?
i. What will be a traffic number that BIAL will consider as a trigger point for commencement of construction of T2 ?
ii. Can BIAL share some plans / drawings / artists impressions ?
iii. Many industry experts feel that T2 should be a full dual level terminal typical of international designs with departures on the upper level and arrivals at the lower. Is it? Or will you continue with the side-by-side design like T1 ?
The airport is built on a 4,000 acre plot of land and what you see today is just Phase one of the Master Plan. The next expansion will include extending the apron from the current 42 aircraft parking stands to 62. Additionally, the current terminal building will be expanded to accommodate the increase in passenger traffic.
With the existing infrastructure, the airport can easily handle the passenger traffic for the next couple of years. The next step after this will be construction of the second terminal and runway – a mirror image of the airport infrastructure that one sees today. From this you will gather that this airport will be a work in progress project for the next 10 to 15 years with gradual but continuous expansion phases, the way it was initially envisioned and planned.
Even with the current slowdown, the traffic figures in this region are set to stabilize and grow at a steady pace. Reacting to this growth, we will continue to realize our master plan and expand to accommodate increased traffic in terms of aircraft movements and passengers.
Details of the second terminal and runway are yet in the planning stages. Their specifications depend on a wide range of factors like traffic forecasts, the type of aircraft that the airport will be handling, requirements of airlines operating a few years from now, etc. These details are dynamic and will constantly be changed to align with the need of the hour.
We will start with the detailed planning of the expansion of the terminal buildings next year.
To build an “Express Terminal” integrated into the present Terminal is still an option.
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I find the answers to the delicate question of expansion extremely guarded. BIAL appears to be keeping it’s cards very close to it’s chest. This could be as a result of the on-going probe by the Joint House Committee. What is your view?
Please visit tomorrow for the conclusion and part five – Marcel Hungerbuehler
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