Bangalore's new airport to be major business hub

The new international airport in Bangalore is all set to become a major business hub with utilisation of a part of it for setting up hotels, retail stores and other commercial activities. 'The aim is to develop the airport as a prime location in the city for offices and other business activities,' Stephan Widrig, chief commercial officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited said. Addressing the delegates in a seminar at 'Aerodrome 2006', he said, 'BIAL has decided to introduce competition in various airport services in this project. That is the only way ensure efficiency in the long run. 'While introducing competition by inviting more than one service provider to operate various airport services, it would be ensured that the quality is not compromised,' he added. He assured that the project was progressing as per the schedule. 'About 42 percent of the work is already completed and the first phase of this project would be completed as per schedule by April 2008.'

Located east of the Bangalore-Hyderabad national highway, the airport spans an area of 3,900 acres and will comprise all modern amenities a traveller looks for in terms of convenience, comfort and connectivity, Widrig said. The central government has granted the exclusive right and privilege to BIAL to carry out the development, design, financing, construction, operation and management of the airport for a period of 30 years from with an option to extend the concession for another 30 years. Private promoters hold 74 percent equity stake in BIAL and the state promoters hold the remaining 26 percent. The private promoters include Siemens Projects Ventures, Larsen and Toubro and Unique Zurich Airport. The two state promoters are the Karnataka State Investment and Industrial Development Corporation and the Airports Authority of India.

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