Photo Essay: Aero India 2013 - Inauguration Day images

The ninth edition of Aero India opened late and missing a few performers, notably the Russian Knights air display team, which have still not reached the show by the end of the second day.

A photo essay on some of the performers on the first day.

A Dassault Rafale B takes off during the inaugural ceremony at Aero India 2013. The Rafale is the fighter that has been selected by the Indian Air-force for its MMRCA requirement.

A United States Air-force Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 50 from the 14th Fighter Squadron based out of Misawa Air Base in Japan.

The venerable de Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth now fully restored, performs.

The HAL Rudra Mk-IV helicopter which is an armed version of the HAL Dhruv, achieved initial operational clearance on 4th February 2013.

A close up of the Rudra as it comes in to land, the pilot can be seen looking at the runway

The new Indian Air Force Embraer EMB-145 AEWCS fitted with the AESA radar array.

The HAL Light Combat Helicopter.

A USAF C-17 of the the 535th Airlift Squadron which is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. The wing is of the KC-135 tanker which accompanied the F-16's from Japan.

The new Pilatus PC-7 Mk-2 basic trainer of the Indian Air-force.

The Mil Mi-17B-5 is the latest troop carrier of the Indian Air-force.

The HAL Tejas Mk I Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program.

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HAL Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) HJT-36 Sitara crashes near Bangalore

A prototype of the Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. Intermediate Jet Trainer HJT-36 Sitara serial number S-3466 crashed near Krishnagiri about 80km (50mi) south-east of Bangalore around 15:10 local (09:40 UTC).

HAL HJT-36 Intermediate Jet Trainer S-3466 at Aero India 2011. Photo by Vedant Agarwal.

Both pilots Wg Cdr. Patra and Mathur (rank not sure) ejected safely, though one of them has suffered some injuries.

HAL has constituted a Court of Inquiry to examine the crash.

S-3466 was the same aircraft that crashed at Aero India in February 2007. The aircraft was repaired and put back in to service about a year later.

Thanks to some friends (who prefer to remain anonymous) for the heads-up. Hat tip SS.

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India and Russia sign fifth generation fighter aircraft design contract

India's Ministry of Defence controlled Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) and Russia's Rosoboronexport and Sukhoi signed a contract todday for the preliminary design of the Indo-Russian Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA).

The FGFA aircraft to be jointly developed is termed Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF). The PMF draws upon the basic structural and system design of the Russian FGFA Technology Demonstrator PAK-FA with modifications to meet the more stringent specifications of the Indian Air Force.

The fighter will have advanced features such as stealth, supercruise, ultra-manoeuvrability, highly integrated avionics suite, enhanced situational awareness, internal carriage of weapons and Network Centric Warfare capabilities.

The broad scope of bilateral cooperation during the joint project covers the design and development of the PMF, its production-ising, and joint marketing to third countries. Options include the design and development of a twin-seater variant and the integration of an advanced engine with higher thrust at a later stage.

With an expected outlay running in to the hundreds of billions, the total cost including options and the value of production aircraft will make FGFA/PMF, the biggest defence programme in the history of India.

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HAL Chetak helicopter crashes, pilots survive, aircraft badly damaged

A Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) Chetak helicopter registration VT-EIV belonging to the HAL Rotary Wing Academy crashed earlier this morning around 0900 (0330Z) while performing a training flight at the HAL airport in Bangalore, India.
Image courtesy Wikipedia
Bangalore Aviation understands the aircraft was just commencing a routine training flight, and had lifted just about 15 ft in the air when it suffered a suspected tail-rotor failure and crashed back on the ground along the taxiway. The airport operations have been ceased but the airport main runway is functional.

The trainer is a retired Indian armed forces pilot Air Cmde. ROJ Assey, and the trainee is Capt. Virendra Singh of the Indian Army. Both pilots sustained orthopaedic injuries but have survived the crash. They have been taken to hospital for treatment. Hindustan Aeronautics is rendering all assistance.

The aircraft is badly damaged and could be a complete write-off.

The Chetak is the Indian version (SA-315B) of the venerable Aérospatiale Alouette III. It is a single-engine, light utility helicopter recognised for its mountain rescue capabilities and adaptability. Originally developed by Sud Aviation it is made in India by the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd as the Chetak, which is a workhorse of the Indian Army and Indian Navy.

VT-EIV had a construction number AH-280 and was built around May 1984. The accident has been reported to India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation and will be investigated by them.

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Boeing delivers to US Navy first F/A-18 Super Hornet fitted with HAL made gun bay door

Last week on July 20, Boeing [NYSE: BA], delivered to the U.S. Navy the first F/A-18 Super Hornet featuring a gun bay door manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) based in Bangalore, India.

F/A-18 featuring HAL made gun bay door. Click on image for a high resolution view.

These gun bay doors are the product of the first military contract between Boeing and HAL which manufactures them at their huge complex in Bangalore. The two companies are also cooperating on military projects likethe Indian Navy variant of the US Navy P-8 Poseidon, the P-8I and commercial airplanes like the Boeing 777.

Boeing's involvement with Indian aerospace vendors has been growing dramatically after it won a raft of commercial and military orders from Indian government entities. Initially driven by offset agreements over their sales to Air India, Indian Airlines, and various arms of the Indian military, aerospace manufacturers have discovered a wealth of capabilities within the Indian engineering sector.

Recently, in its magazine Frontiers, Boeing detailed its multi-dimensional partnership with India. The Boeing F/A-18IN Super Hornet is a competitor in Indian Air Force's Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft tender.

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Photo essay: Transit of Singapore Air Force elite 145 squadron F-16s, KC-135R, C-130H at Bangalore

On Monday evening an entire contingent of the elite 145 squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) touched down at Bangalore's HAL airport.

The 145 Squadron "Hornet" is a strike fighter squadron of the RSAF currently based at the new airbase Changi Airbase (East) which to the east of Singapore Changi Airport. With hornets as their motif and a motto "Swift & Valiant", the 145 squadron is considered one of, if not the best squadron of the RSAF.

The 145 squadron operates 20 Lockheed Martin F-16D+ Fighting Falcons procurred during 2003~2004 under the Peace Carvin IV. The twenty aircraft of the squadron which are upgraded versions known as the Block 52+ or F-16D+, are equipped with state-of-the-art Conformal Fuel Tanks, extended spines which house a formidable radar, targeting pod, and ECM suite enabling the squadron to conduct precision day and night operations at a greater combat range and duration.

In many ways the F-16D+ looks very similar to the F-16IN SuperViper which Lockheed Martin is pitching for the Indian Air Force Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender.

Six F-16D+ (tail numbers 661, 662, 669, 674, 678, 679) accompanied by the Boeing KC-135R Stratotankers (tail numbers 750 and 753) and Lockheed C-130H Hercules filled with ground support personnel transited through Bangalore on the night of 7th June. After an overnight stop, the whole fleet took off for Qatar, and most likely proceeding on to Europe.

I managed to capture some of the aircraft as they departed. First to leave were the two KC-135R tankers.
Observe the flight of F-16s in the background

Soon after came the six F-16D+. HAL airport has a 10,000ft runway, and these planes were airborne well before the centre point of the runway. Streaking across the sky with full afterburners, they were well above 400kts (800 kmph) even before reaching the end of the runway. In typical Singapore precision they even took off by tail number.

Sorry, it was a cloudy morning and with the high speed of the F-16s I could not achieve a high quality of the pictures.


Last to leave was the C-130H Hercules by which time the sun had come out of the clouds. Really beautiful looking aircraft.

Please note, these images are the copyright of Bangalore Aviation and may not be used without permission.

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Eurofighter Typoons arrive in Bangalore for Indian Air Force MMRCA flight testing

Two Eurofighter Typhoons 30-24 and 30-42 accompanied by their Airbus A310-304 MRTT arrived at Bangalore's HAL airport Thursday, February 18th afternoon at 15:40 (10:10Z). The three planes flew in over the airport in formation, and then peeled right. Great formation flying by all three.


One Typhoon did a low pass over runway 09 to inspect and familiarise, after which the three aircraft landed in sequence. Each of the Typhoons followed by the MRTT.


The Eurofighters are the last of the five contenders in the Indian Air Force's 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) procurement tender estimated at $10.5 billion (Rs. 55,000 Crore). Its competitors the Lockheed Martin F-16 Viper, F/A-18 SuperHornet, MiG-35, and Dassault Rafale have already completed their testing at Bangalore.

The crews will rest up and testing begins in earnest from Monday.

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Hindustan Aeronautics to produce Boeing 777 flaperons in Bangalore

Boeing and Bangalore based Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed an agreement recently for the production of flaperons for use on Boeing’s 777 series commercial jetliner. The work will be performed in HAL's Bangalore complex.

The 777 flaperons, a highly complex composite assembly is instrumental in controlling the airplane’s maneuverability in flight. Referred to as a “control surface” flaperons work both as an aileron to control roll and as a flap to control lift.

Aerospace majors across the globe are increasing their sourcing from India mostly driven by costs but also driven by off-sets. For every commercial or military aircraft procured by the Government of India, there is an element of off-sets wherein the seller commits to procuring and exporting from India a certain percentage of the sale value typically between 30%~50%.

Air India's mammoth order on both Boeing and Airbus as well as the Indian armed forces procurement of the Boeing P-8I, and other aircraft have produced a bonanza for the Indian aviation industry. The upcoming and much anticipated $10+ billion MMRCA (medium multi role combat aircraft) procurement by the Indian Air Force is expected to catapult aviation sourcing from India.

Orders from private airlines though, do not produce off-sets since they prefer to obtain a lower buy price for their aircraft.

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Flight Images: Antonov An124-100 takes five advanced light helicopters from Bangalore

At the start of Aero India in early February, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., announced it would make delivery of the first five of the Advanced Light Helicopters sold to the Ecuadorian Air Force using the behemoth Antonov An-124-100.


On the night of March 18th the giant transporter came to the HAL airport to load up. I managed to catch her departure yesterday and hope you enjoy the picture. She is BIG!!! Even with a small Nikon 50mm f/1.8 lens she filled more than 60 per cent of the photo frame.


While at the airport I managed to also capture one of the four Indian Air Force owned Embraer ERJ135 derived Legacy 600 Executive Business Jet (IAF tail number K3601, actual registration VU-AVS) coming in to land. A fifth aircraft of this type is owned by the Border Security Force. These aircraft are used to transport VIP passengers. I wonder who came to Bangalore on it?

Also got buzzed by an Ilyushin IL 76 MD of the Indian Air Force. Called Gajraj (King of Elephants) by the Indian Air Force, (IAF tail number K2879, actual registration VU-FGH). The IL 76 MD is a strategic heavy lift transporter very aptly named; she is big and noisy.

Even with its large size, the IL 76 MD Gajraj was dwarfed by the Antonov An-124-100.

Sorry about the heat haze, even at 10:15 AM, it is peak summer at Bangalore.

To get a small appreciation of the An-124's abilities see this video about the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) trains which were transported from Bombardier's Germany facility to New Delhi by the giant transporter.


A huge hat tip to Airliners-India user Aseem for the video link.

Please note, these images are covered by a CC license who terms are at the bottom of this page.

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Tejas Light Combat Aircraft undergoing advanced weapon testing

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is carrying out a two-week second phase weapon testing trials of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at an Air Force base in the north-western sector.

As per DRDO officials

"The focus of the current phase of testing is safe separation and accuracy of weapon delivery. The results from the tests would validate aerodynamic interference data as well as complex weapon release algorithms in different modes of release,"

A composite test team comprising of specialists from Aeronautical Development Agency, Indian Air Force (IAF), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd., and other aerospace agencies is also at the base to evaluate the performance of the aircraft.



DRDO has also linked the air base with the base station at Bangalore enabling designers and other specialists to monitor the activities in real time. In parallel the trials are using the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) GPS Radiosonde to gather accurate upper air data at the trial location.

The first of seven squadrons of LCA's are expected to be delivered to the Indian Air Force by December 2010. PTI.

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The heart of Aero India 2009

The Aero India 2009 continues to draw large crowds, and for today and tomorrow, a huge crush of footfalls is expected.

Aerial displays in the morning and afternoon sessions are as spectacular and breathtaking as in any major air show held worldwide. While the public focusses on the magnificent flying machines and their daredevil pilots, they remain blissfully unaware of the singular edifice that facilitates and coordinates all the flying activity – the Air Traffic Control (ATC) - the heart of the air show, at Air Force Station (AFS) Yelahanka (VOYK).

Activity at the ATC begin before dawn and continue well beyond dusk. As the premiere training station for all Indian Air Force (IAF) transport wing, AFS Yelahanka, is one of the busiest military airfields in the country. Not only does it handle over 60,000 movements annually, it also has to contend with two major airfields - Bengaluru International Airport (BIA), just 4 nm to the north, and the HAL airport 10nm south. A task well handled by Chief Operations Officer (COO), Wing Commander N.V.M. Unnithan and his team.

Assisting him and bristling with activity, a 24x7 manned 'Base Operations Room' controls all aspects of the flying and coordinating with various agencies including 'flying display director', routine movements, VIP protocol, ground handling agencies, BIA, and HAL remains fully operational at the ATC tower.

While an anxious F-16 pilot, USAF Lieutenant Mike Benson, coordinating the flight schedule of the C-130 Hercules, was happy after the arrangements were explained by the COO, Captain Uphoff and Lieutenant Michael Schumacher (just a coincidence) of the German Air Force's Fighter Wing-73, technical team members of the Eurofighter Typhoon dropped by to thank the officials at the ATC, a gesture symbolic of the universal spirit exemplified at the air show.

Preparations began six months in advance. Coordination meetings were crucial as Aero India 2009 was the first air show since the opening of new airport (BIA) last year. With a lateral separation between the airfields of just 4.3 nautical miles it was imperative to halt all civilian flights at BIA during the air displays. Most visiting aircraft of the IAF had to be housed at HAL due to the space constraints at Yelahanka. There is full cooperation between all the three airports and the flight displays are going perfect as expected.

The proximity of the flight paths at Yelahanka and BIA is demonstrated by this photograph of the F16IN SuperViper by my photography guru and guide, Praveen Sundaram a.k.a. Photoyogi. Do take the time to check his photo-stream.

Significant improvements in airfield infrastructure, resurfacing of the taxi-track, airfield links, refitting of the runway lighting, drainage of the 8,500 feet long runway were completed in just four months, ahead of the show, as per senior ATC officer, Wing Commander Sunil Ninan.

Seated on the console panels in a glass-encased environment, the cool demeanour of the five ATC officers manning the consoles betray little of the highly stressful role the controllers undergo. The banner displayed at the entrance says it all - 'You are about to witness the most stressful profession in the world'.

While many in Indian commercial aviation complain about the accents of expatriate pilots, at Aero India there are many pilots from different countries, speaking in different accents, and the ATC controllers are equally adept at picking up the nuances, ensuring unambiguous and crystal clear communication between the pilots and ATC.

Flight safety remains paramount; all flight paths including the aerial displays, and restrictions are designed with risk mitigation in mind. AFS Yelahanka has the township of Yelahanka to the south, and is bounded to the north and east by BIA and its resultant development.

In an effort to restrict the bird activity especially during the flying displays that are flown at low-levels, adequate aerial surveys were done in the period leading to the air show. Ten 'bird scare' teams mounted on specially procured silent electric bikes prowl the entire airfield with double-barrel guns in the airfield area. In addition, 'whistlers', a pyro-technique device emitting high frequency, high-pitch sound that irritate the birds are being effectively used.

Closure of the fish, poultry, and meat markets in the near vicinity on specified days and covering water bodies (lakes and ponds) with nets are some of the initiatives undertaken by the IAF personnel at the base.

Despite these steps, birds are present in plenty, and BBMP officials have to get serious about sanitation and open-air meat markets in the Yelahanka, Devanahalli and Ejipura area

The meteorological forecasts during the air show got a boost with the installation of a 'Numerical Weather Prediction Module' enabling 24-hours observation watch, and 18-hours forecast watch, informed Wing Commander VK Choudhary, senior Met Officer at the base.

We have to applaud the efforts of all the people involved. From the policeman at Hebbal flyover, ensuring traffic gets to AFS Yelahanka quickly, to the IAF personnel at the base, the exhibitors, the display teams, pilots, and support crews, the government, and the organisers. It is a herculean effort executed with seamless precision and complete cooperation. Last, and certainly not the least, I hats off to the tireless efforts of the entire team at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), led by Greeta Varughese and Sourav Narayan Biswas. They have all been working 20+ hour days for the last two weeks, to ensure the show is an unbridled success it is.

Stay tuned for a photo-essay........

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HAL to deliver Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter to Ecuador at Aero India

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), is readying to hand over its first competitively won contract of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), the Dhruv. HAL won an order for 7 helicopters from Ecuador beating out global heavyweights like Eurocopter, on performance and and a price of just $7 million per helicopter.

Dhruv ALH in peacock livery of the Indian Air Force Sarang display team

Five shiny new Dhruvs (The Pole Star in Sanskrit) with the insignia of the Ecuadorian Air Force, stand ready at HAL in Bangalore, ahead of schedule.

With Colombia and Chile evaluating the Dhruv, and carefully watching HAL's performance of the Ecuador contract, HAL, is leaving no stone unturned to ensure both a speedy delivery and on-going maintainability so that Ecuador has no problems with its Dhruv fleet.

Instead of disassembling the helicopters, HAL is learning from the Indian Air Force Sarang display team, and sending the aircraft via an Antonov AN124. Also, a specially selected team of ten HAL engineers is being posted in Ecuador for the two-year period when the Dhruvs will be under warranty. During these two years, the HAL engineers will train the Ecuadorian Air Force to maintain its Dhruvs.

The Ecuador Air Force chief will receive five Dhruvs at a high-profile media event at Aero India 2009. The remaining two will be handed over within six months.

The Dhruv assembly line in Bangalore is already busy, fulfilling orders from the Indian armed forces for 159 helicopters.

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Parliamentary panel slams Civil Aviation ministry for HAL and Begumpet closure

The Sunday Times of India has published an article detailing the slamming of the Ministry of Civil Aviation by the Standing Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Tourism.

Minister for Civil Aviation, Mr. Praful Patel, frequently flies in to Bangalore HAL airport, on board an aircraft owned by Delhi and Hyderabad airport promoters GMR.

HAL airport closure violated

In a damning rebuke to the central government, a parliamentary panel has stated that the closure of HAL airport was a clear violation of the due process. The department-related parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture headed by Sitaram Yechury said in its report, a copy of which is available with the STOI (Sunday Times of India), "The closure of HAL airport was not mentioned in the tender for Bengaluru Greenfield Airport. Naturally, all the parties who participated in the tender process would have made their offers on this basis only. Making an offer of closure of HAL Airport after the Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), appears to be a clear violation of the due process," the report that was presented to the Rajya Sabha and laid on the table of the Lok Sabha explains.

As regards the restriction on having another airport within 150 km of the existing airport, granting permission to start a new Greenfield Airport within that radius prima facie seems to be in violation of the government policy on airport infrastructure.

As per the policy, if another airport is allowed within an aerial distance of 150 km of an existing airport, a passenger-sharing formula has to be evolved. The government in the present case, not only allowed the new airport to share passengers but also closed down the existing profit-making airports. The closure of existing airports has been done in haste, the report objected.

"The Government of India appears to be unconcerned about the obligation of BIAL to construct and provide an airport as per the concession agreement. Even the area and capacity were not verified before permitting to open new and closing HAL airport. This appears to be an irregularity committed by GOI in this matter," the committee has also stated.

"Hundreds of crores of rupees were spent for developing infrastructure at the old airports both at Bengaluru and Hyderabad but it is lying unutilised due to the closure of old airports for commercial purposes. Another interesting fact is that the old airports at these two places are being used for operation of VIP flights, non-schedule flights, general aviation and helicopter taxis etc.

During the deliberations of committee, the AAI reported that there is absolutely no problem in operating of two airports simultaneously in a city. So, the committee recommends that the old airports may be used for short-haul flights, which are operating from the nearby airports, as it is more convenient. There is no reason or justification for keeping the hundreds of crores of worth infrastructure at the old airports idle just to be used for VIP and other flights.

The committee also notes that closure of HAL airport led to loss of jobs due to reduction in flights and due to closure of airline operators. Thousands of direct and indirect workers also lost their jobs including trolley retrievers, small time vendor, taxi drivers, auto drivers, loaders etc. Despite assurances by the respective managements they have not been accommodated in the new airports.

"Commercial Civil aviation activities are continuing in the Bangalore HAL with the consent of the management of BIAL and GOI, whereas the concessional Agreement and the notification issued by the GOI clearly prohibits any commercial aviation activity. This shows that if the government wants, they can operationalise the old airports not withstanding the agreement.

The paragraph of the article is in clear reference to the air taxi service operated by Air Deccan.

It appears the folks at Praja have obtained the minutes of the meetings of the Steering Committee for the new International Airport at Devanahalli (which has now become Bengaluru International Airport), under the Right To Information Act. I strongly suggest visiting the site and studying the document. It is an eye opener and provides a wealth of information on the thinking of the government.

In particular, I was rather shocked to read the minutes of the eighth meeting. It was interesting to see the unfair, but clever, tactics, the eventual winner, the Siemens consortium, used to eliminate the competition, rather than beat them.

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HAL airport closure illegal:Parliamentary committee

The Press Trust of India reports that the Government’s decision to shut down the old Bangalore airport could come under fresh legal scrutiny with a parliamentary panel asking civil aviation ministry to respond to charges of “irregularities” in the concession agreement it has signed with the airport developer.

Quoting records of its hearings with the ministry, Airports Authority of India, its employees and the private Bangalore International Airport Limited, the panel said that the clause relating to the old airport closure was brought into the concession agreement “at a later stage... After a demand was made to this effect by BIAL”.

In its report on the functioning of private airports, the Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture said the concession agreement initially prepared and approved by the Union Cabinet “did not provide for the closure of the Hindustan Aeronautical Limited Airport” in Bangalore.

However, the July 2004 agreement actually signed with BIAL had a clause making it obligatory on the government to notify that the old airport would not be available for commercial civil aviation operations from the date the new greenfield airport became operational, it said.

The Committee, headed by CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, said the AAI Employees Union (AAEU) had quoted the Aircraft Act to point out that an airport could be closed down only if security of the country and safety of aircraft were endangered. “In the given case of the HAL Airport, both these reasons are not present.”

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Parliamentary committee recommends UDF withdrawl, re-open HAL and Begumpet

In what is sure to be a shock, to both the BIAL and HIAL consortia, the Deccan Chronicale reports, the parliamentary standing committee on transport, tourism and culture, on Thursday October 23, recommended immediate withdrawal of user development fees (UDF) being charged by Hyderabad and Bengaluru airports.

It said the private operators had invested only Rs 330 crore and Rs 240 crore at Hyderabad and Bangalore respectively to develop the airports. The rest of the amount came from the AAI, state governments and through debt from financial institutions.

Observing that the government’s policy was to make air travel more affordable, the committee said the UDF imposed on passengers “may be withdrawn immediately and no more UDF may be imposed on passengers in any of the airports.”

The committee has also recommended that the HAL airport in Bangalore, and the Begumpet airport in Hyderabad be used for short-haul domestic flights.

The committee, headed by the CPI(M) leader, Mr Sitaram Yechury, said any future greenfield or brownfield airports should be developed with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) having a majority stake in a joint venture.

What impact this recommendation will have on the pending UDF requests of the consortia at Delhi and Mumbai is also to be considered.

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HAL Airport rated at 8 million passenger capacity

An official study by the Airports Authority of India assesses the annual passenger capacity of HAL Airport at 8 million passengers. 6.5 million domestic terminal and 1.5 million international terminal.

This is contrary to popular belief of 3.5 million passengers.

According to Mr. B.R. Sena, General Manager, AAI, Bangalore, the figure of 3.5 million is based on extremely old assessments. AAI has added the international terminal building, and increased the size of the existing domestic departure terminal since then.

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Hard work at BIAL results in significant improvement

On Friday, 20-June-2008, I took a flight out of BIAL airport. As my pictorial essay shows, the hard work, by the stake holders at BIAL, is showing results, in the form of significant improvements.

Getting to the airport
While the distance to the new airport is significant, I have always maintained that connectivity to the airport was not a major problem. I left Koramangala at 08:30am, driving my Hyundai i10. I was at the airport terminal by 09:45am.

Despite maintaining a comfortable pace, I encountered a hair raising experience with a pedestrian running across the highway. The many policeman on the road, were just bystanders, enjoying the life and death drama. I have voiced my concerns about a lack of pedestrian over-bridges in an earlier article (read article), and I am informed that there is on average 1 major accident or death everyday on the NH-7.

Arriving, check-in, and security
I was met at arrival by a very senior official of BIAL. I am deliberately keeping his name confidential, but I extend my thanks to him for all the courtesy.

While he went to the CISF security office to arrange an apron pass for me, I went ahead with check-in. Two of the departure doors were manned. The CISF guard checked my ID card (which CISF in Mumbai did not bother with, on my return leg). The check-in hall was quite empty and there was a small check-in queue. The folks at Kingfisher are very efficient. I did notice, that most airlines logged in to the CUTE terminals, and hence the stations displayed their airline, but did not staff them. I was informed that the morning peak period was over.

Met up with the BIAL official and we proceed up the escalator, and through the security check. CISF have implemented a past suggestion of mine to use 1 DFMD to service two physical check stations. We both expressed exasperation at the CISF insistence on using DFMDs, since there was a 100% physical check and frisk, which renders the DFMD check redundant. But then the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security is not known at the sharpest knife in the already dull bureaucratic block.

Also, all the women's lines were on one side, and there were hardly any women. So while men were waiting, the CISF female lines and guards were sitting idle.

I have suggested to CISF in the past to have a mixed line for the women. i.e. one DFMD serving one female check station and one male station.

The Apron
After leaving my carry-on bag in the BIAL official's office, we went down to the departure baggage make-up area, and it was a hive of activity. It is still is capacity constrained, a weakness in BIAL capacity.

At the tarmac we could see all the vehicles buzzing around. The worst were the old, decrepit tractors of Jet Airways and Indigo. I was informed that these polluting tractors were not permitted inside the baggage area. So they bring the luggage trolleys till the building entrance and then the electric tugs take over. BIAL has imposed a July 31st deadline on removal of these smoke belchers. I can understand, why BIAL is upset at the airlines' insistence on doing their own handling. A lot of duplicated equipment was cluttered all around the tarmac lying mostly unused.

A major reason for week 1 chaos at BIAL
I also discovered one of the main causes of the chaos that plagued the airport during its first week of opening (which I subsequently confirmed through other sources at the airport). Apart from the un-preparedness of Globe Ground (GG) and AI-SATS, a major contributor was India's "largest airline". This airline did not sign-up with any of the ground handlers, and thought they would do it themselves. 24 hours before the airport opened they realised they would be unable to, and pressured one of the ground handling agents to do the handling. Net result, insufficient and untrained staff, major disruptions and heaps of misery on everyone.

The official had to go and welcome Kingfisher's first Airbus A330 VT-VJK (read story)which was arriving. So he escorted me to the elevator and soon I was back in the departure hall.

The Departure Hall
The departure lounge was fairly empty. With seating available. Restaurants and shops were buzzing. The restrooms are small, with acceptable cleanliness.

I chose to look around, and chat up with the airport staff, and ask them their opinions. They all felt that the airport is slowly coming around. It is still not a great place to work in, but significantly better then when it opened. Their daily commute of about 80km was the biggest source of displeasure, despite the free transport provided by their employers.

Most airlines are experiencing a steep drop in regional passenger traffic. Flights to Chennai and Hyderabad, which used to be packed, now carry only about 15~20 passengers. There was a sense of despondency.

The FIDs (Flight Information Displays) still need improvement. They are too small, forcing passengers to get really close to read.

And they are still only in English. No Kannada or Hindi.

Observe the speakers. If you recall, in my visit report before the airport opened, I commented about the microphones at each gate, that would provide localised boarding announcements. Boy, was I wrong. Every little detail of every flight is blared over the speakers. Coupled with the poor acoustics, it is not a pleasant experience. BIAL should force the use of the "local" gate announcements concept.

Many departing passengers took time to grab something to eat. The long trip from town, does make you hungry. The restaurants offers decent food, but other passengers told me that RGIA Hyderabad food was significantly superior.

The incoming flight was about 5 minutes late, and the aerobridge operators took some time to attach, but the Kingfisher staff rushed the Globe Ground staff through their aircraft turn around, and we were boarded and took off on time. A short taxi, and soon we were airborne.

The departure experience was good. Most of the issues have been addressed, corrected, and operations stabilised.

The Return
We landed without any delay. For some reason the aircraft was not exited on a rapid exit, and so we went for a long taxiway tour of the airport.

After parking at a remote bay, despite almost a month since the airport opened, the Globe Ground crew took several attempts to attach the truck mounted ladder. I thought they would have become proficient by now, but obviously they need more experience.

I was informed that airlines preferred remote bays to "contact" (aerobridge) gates, since the aerobridge operators took even longer to attach.

We were brought to the terminal in a combination of Ashok Leyland's version of the Cobus, operated by Globe Ground, and Vayu Vajra Volvos. Due to the layout and regulations of the apron, we had to take the royal tour. This also explains why the bags take about 15 minutes to come.

Baggage Claim
We arrived to see a cleaning machine busy cleaning the floors. The airport looked bright and like a shining jewel against the darkness of the night.

The baggage came within 5 minutes of our arriving at the terminal. Passengers collected their baggage and dispersed within 10 minutes of our arrival in to the terminal. Good show by Globe Ground and Kingfisher.

On the international side, things were not so good. This scene is when only the Singapore Airlines flight has landed. The main crush of European arrivals had not yet arrived. The bags were coming very slowly. Obviously the Customs X-Ray inspection of incoming bags was slowing things down.

After exiting the baggage claim hall, I walked across till the glass divider, and peeked in to the departure hall. Compared to my departure, it was quite full, with all the international passengers waiting to check in.

Exiting the terminal

On exiting the terminal, one is immediately confronted with the familiar line of drivers with the name placards waiting for their guests.

Private taxi drivers lurk like hungry wolves waiting to pounce on arriving passengers en-masse and offer "taxi" services. In the absence of any city police, the BIAL employees were powerless to prevent this predatory and unwelcome practice. I could not find a single policeman at the airport. Only CISF, and their authority stops at the terminal door.

There was a reasonable line of passengers waiting at the departure doors to enter the airport, and many passengers who apparently arrived early took the time to occupy the seating outside the terminal meant for visitors.

Others took to sitting on the concrete pillars and catch-up.

Cars were parked three deep on the drop off lanes, till the parking contractor's van came with its siren blaring forcing them to move.

Vayu Vajra and the Bus stand
I headed out to the Vayu Vajra stand, still being accosted by offers of "taxi service", and the bus stand stood out like a shining beacon. The bustle knocked the picture, my apologies.

An oasis of light in the desert of darkness from the bus stand. The BMTC bus drivers were very helpful, and there is schedule chart. I observed that there is an over abundance of service to Hebbal. Also there are only VV services to Hebbal, Electronics City and Kempegowda bus stand. No economical Suvarna service to these 3 destinations.

I just missed my VV back to Koramangala, and would have to wait another hour for the next service. So I trudged back to the terminal, and linked up with the AirLift folks. It was a slightly long walk to the P1 parking, past the bus stand, but I was soon in a comfy Toyota Innova, one of 50, and zipping back to town.

My fellow passengers were Major Kapoor (now retired and running a team building education service), and Dr. Balaji (an ENT surgeon and now a tele-medicine expert).

During the trip I sought their views. Like me, they both felt that BIAL has improved significantly, including bathrooms. They also felt that Hyderabad RGIA,was far superior to BIAL, in almost all aspects. Unlike RGIA, BIAL shows effects of cost cutting, which according to Major Kapoor makes "BIAL lack the 'feel good' factor of Hyderabad".

Conclusion
Comparisons aside, I am highly impressed by the improvements at BIAL. Without doubt, BIAL terminal is a superior product compared to the AAI terminal at HAL, and a facility Bangalore can be proud of. While there are areas, like ground handling and cargo, which require improvement, all the operations teams at BIAL and stake holders can be rightfully proud of their hard efforts, and its results at the airport.

The total crash in regional traffic is alarming, and it will behoove BIAL to consider operations at HAL, in a larger public interest. The Governments of India and Karnataka, should strongly consider letting BIAL and AAI continue their partnership, and together they can operate the terminal facilties at HAL airport, while letting the hyper-efficient HAL ATC operate the air traffic, giving Bangalore, the best of both worlds.

All images are my copyright. The web album is here.

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