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The HAL Airport in Bangalore, India, was shut down in 2008 when the Kempegowda airport began operations in Devanahalli. The HAL airport, located in the city centre, witnessed a rapid increase in passenger traffic during the 1990s, coinciding with Bangalore's economic expansion. To accommodate this growth, the airport underwent expansions and upgrades. However, the surrounding lake, apartment complexes, and other buildings constrained further expansion, leading to the planning of a new airfield. Despite protests from some residents and a shift in HAL's stance, airlines moved to the new airport, leaving the future of the old HAL airport uncertain.
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What You'll Learn
HAL Airport was shut down in 2008
The HAL Airport in Bangalore, India, was shut down in 2008. More specifically, on the night of 23-24 May 2008, airlines moved to the new Devanahalli airport. This move came after the airport had been in operation for around 50 years.
The closure of the HAL Airport was a result of an agreement between the new airport's operator, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), and the state and national governments. This agreement obligated the HAL Airport's civil enclave to close. In the years leading up to the closure, the HAL Airport had experienced rapid growth in passenger numbers, with over 10 million passengers passing through the airport in the 2007-2008 fiscal year.
The new Devanahalli airport is located on the outskirts of Bangalore and is known as the Kempegowda International Airport. The move to this new airport was intended to accommodate the growing air traffic in the city and provide a larger facility. However, the closure of the HAL Airport has had a significant impact on the surrounding area, with a loss of revenue for HAL and increased congestion on the roads leading to the new airport.
There have been ongoing discussions about reviving the HAL Airport for commercial flights, particularly as the city's air traffic continues to grow. The Karnataka government has shown interest in using the airport for short-haul flights, and HAL has explored ways to reopen the airport for regional air traffic. However, BIAL has resisted these efforts, citing concerns about decreased revenue.
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The airport was replaced by Kempegowda International Airport
The HAL Airport in Bangalore, India, was replaced by the Kempegowda International Airport in 2008. The HAL Airport, located in the city centre, was facing issues with accommodating the rising number of passengers due to Bangalore's growing economy. The airport saw a sixfold increase in passenger traffic from 1991 to 1997, with further growth expected.
To address this issue, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) constructed a new terminal, which was inaugurated in January 1999. However, even this expansion was predicted to only provide short-term relief. The need for a new airport became apparent, and the planning for Kempegowda International Airport began.
The new airport is located about 30 kilometres (19 miles) north of Bengaluru, near the suburb of Devanahalli. It is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public-private consortium. The airport is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru, and was officially renamed in December 2013.
Kempegowda International Airport became operational in May 2008, with all airlines moving their operations from HAL Airport to the new facility. The new airport features two runways and two passenger terminals, with provisions for larger aircraft like the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8. It has a fuel farm spread over 11 acres and is connected to the city by National Highway 44 (NH44).
There have been recent talks about reviving the HAL airport for short-haul flights, but these discussions have not led to any concrete plans.
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HAL Airport is located in the city centre
HAL Airport, formerly known as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Airport, is located in the heart of Bangalore, India. Situated along Old Airport Road, the airport served as a crucial transport hub for the city until its closure for civilian flights in 2008. Despite no longer accommodating civilian air traffic, the airport remains a prominent landmark in Bangalore.
Old Airport Road, previously called Airport Road, is a major thoroughfare in Bangalore. The road stretches from the junction of Trinity Church Road and Victoria Road, leading to HAL Bangalore International Airport, Marathahalli, and Varthur. The area surrounding Old Airport Road is known for its residential and commercial development, boasting prominent landmarks such as luxury hotels, hospitals, and tech parks.
HAL Airport played a significant role in Bangalore's aviation history. Commercial flights commenced in 1946, and the airport witnessed steady growth over the following decades. By the 1990s, Bangalore's burgeoning economy and rising global stature led to a rapid increase in passenger numbers. This surge in air traffic prompted the construction of additional terminals and infrastructure upgrades to accommodate the growing demand.
However, the limitations of HAL Airport's location in the city centre hindered its ability to expand further. The surrounding lake, apartment complexes, and other buildings constrained the airport's physical expansion to meet future growth in air traffic. As a result, plans emerged to construct a new airport, Devanahalli Airport, on the outskirts of Bangalore.
In 2008, civilian operations at HAL Airport ceased, and all airlines relocated to the new Devanahalli Airport. Despite the closure, there have been ongoing discussions and demands to revive HAL Airport for short-haul and domestic flights to enhance passenger convenience and reduce traffic at the new airport.
Today, HAL Airport is only used for military purposes, while Old Airport Road remains a vital thoroughfare in Bangalore, providing access to various key destinations, including tech parks, residential areas, and commercial hubs.
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The airport served approximately 550,000 passengers in 1980-1981
The HAL Airport in Bangalore, India, served approximately 550,000 passengers in 1980-1981. The airport, located in the city centre, was first used by the Allies during the Second World War and began operating commercial flights in 1946. Deccan Airways was the first airline to operate from HAL Airport, introducing a service to Hyderabad.
By 1952, three other airlines had joined Deccan Airways at HAL Airport, connecting the airport to several destinations in South India. In 1970, the Indian government consolidated all domestic carriers into Indian Airlines, which provided non-stop service from Bangalore to six cities. Jet aircraft had also reached HAL Airport by this time, with Caravelles operating routes to Hyderabad and Bombay.
The number of passengers served by HAL Airport continued to grow in the following decades, with Air Deccan establishing its first base at the airport in 2003. By 2006, the airport was operating at about 1.6 times its capacity of 3.5 million passengers per year. In 2007, 10 domestic airlines and 11 foreign carriers served HAL Airport, and in the 2007-2008 fiscal year, over 10 million passengers passed through its terminals.
However, the high volume of flights and passengers also led to concerns about crowded airspace and delays. As a result, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) worked with HAL to construct additional parking bays and enlarge the terminals to increase capacity. Despite these efforts, the decision was made to build a new airport, and HAL Airport was shut down in 2008 with all civilian flights moving to the new Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli.
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Old Airport Road is a major road in Bangalore
The road is located in the Hal Airport Area, in the Bangalore Division of Karnataka State. The road begins at the junction of Trinity Church Road and Victoria Road and leads to HAL Bangalore International Airport, Marathahalli, and Varthur. Beyond Varthur, the road officially becomes Varthur Road. However, due to the real estate boom in the early 2000s, the stretch of road between the airport and Marathahalli Outer Ring Road is now commonly referred to as Old Airport Road.
Old Airport Road is well-connected to the city and has many residential and commercial properties. It is easily accessible by all modes of transportation, including trains, buses, and public transport. The area has good schools, colleges, hospitals, malls, restaurants, and hotels. Some landmarks on Old Airport Road include the five-star hotels Hotel Leela Palace and Hotel Royal Orchid, Diamond District Apartments, Builders Apartment, and the ISRO satellite centre campus.
The HAL Airport, located on Old Airport Road, was shut down in 2008 when the Kempegowda Airport opened in Devanahalli. There have been demands to reopen the HAL Airport, and the Karnataka government has considered using it for short-haul flights. However, the road leading to the airport cannot accommodate a large number of cars, and the area already experiences intense traffic congestion.
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Frequently asked questions
The HAL Airport in Bangalore, also known as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Airport, was shut down in 2008 and replaced by the Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli. The old airport was located in the city centre of Bangalore.
The HAL airport is currently used for military purposes and there have been talks about using it for certain cargo and connectivity within the state for small aircraft. There is also a demand to revive the airport for passenger convenience and operate short-haul domestic flights.
Old Airport Road, previously known as Airport Road, is a major road in Bangalore that leads to the HAL Bangalore International Airport. It is a prime location with convenient access to transportation, shopping malls, restaurants, parks, and schools. The area has seen real estate development and is well-connected to other parts of the city.
