We have already discussed long ago on praja that the current road after hebbal flyover is more than enough for BIA for the next year or so..

The same people who raised all the ruckus about connectivity would travel by BIA in the next few days and will think its not bad..

There are teething issues to be sorted like ground handling staff etc..these will be dealt fast I suppose.

We are seeing the Vajra's travelling back full from BIA..they will also start ferrying people in larger numbers from the city to BIA soon too..

This shows the popularity of public transport picking up when distance is considered..this is where the train will be the most important link..

The same people who were talking about not closing HAL should get to gether to put a train on the existing tracks to BIA..

The teething problems faced by BIAL is being blown out of proportions. As Naveen has righty pointed out, they need our support and good wishes to sort out the things!

As a comparison, just remember the issues faced by the recent opening of Heathrow T5 ! It became so bad that you can see people making songs/videos on that. And, we know London is far ahead in terms of planning and administration.

Visit the link below [its hilarious !]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kp3bNlBi-Iw

--Prash--

Hi wellwisher,

I saw some people near the belt helping in unloading heavy bags, etc.  I guess your parents should not have problems.  They might need to tip them though.

Srivathsa

Hi IDS.

Before I give solutions, one of the major points Industry, including airlines, and agents had proposed to BIAL, post RGIA fiasco, was do the shift in steps. Commence with International Passengers, then Domestic and finally Cargo. They outright refused. Even today RGIA is a mess. However, that does not concern me, I am a resident of Bangalore, and my loyalty to my fellow residents, and myself.

First an foremost,  BIAL needs to come clean. We have to demand the honest truth. No hiding behind this "teething trouble" BS.

A simple thing like no water, is not teething problems. Not maintaining bathrooms to the point that employees at the airport are forced to fight security guards to use the passenger bathrooms are not teething problems. Having an incomplete cargo warehouse, when it was supposed to be ready 2 months ago are not teething problems. Not having offices or canteens for airlines' employees are not teething problems. These are outright failures.

BIAL and their supporters have been claiming that the airport was ready since March 30. That was two months ago. 2 months delay and still incomplete facilities are not teething problems. These are outright lies.

We have to stop being BIAL apologists. Remember we spent Rs.10,000 Cr. to have "specialists" with years of experience build this airport. They are not amateurs.

Second, BIAL management needs to be seen on scene, helping and sorting out the problems. They need to take personal responsibility. Where is Mr. Brunner ? His presence at the airport sends signals to everyone to shape up.

Three, hold BIALs feet to the fire. They have up till now shown complete inflexibility, and waved their contract in face of this nation. Now it is time to show them the same treatment. Hit them in their pocket book. Make them cough up 100 Cr, to the people of Bangalore for these "teething problems".

Fourth, put together an independent body comprised of BIAL, Govt, Airlines, Agents, Industry and Citizens, that will demand and put down a project time line with committed delivery dates, and monitor service levels for the first six months. Any slip, and cough up cash, M/s BIAL.

Fifth, have a permanent, independent complaints body, like the Lokayuktha, but one charged with maintaining service levels. Coupled with Penal powers. 

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

I agree this is not teething troubles, this is no teeth at all. I dont know why Cargo is getting second hand treatment and was not taken care like the ATC stuff or the terminal redisign that was enforced. How come there is no authority to take up this cause. I really dont know who is losing and who should be standing up for this?

For me as a passenger even if the flight is delayed all I need is WiFi to work and nice hot cappuchino at the F&B stalls. Meanwhile I took some time out today to drive down to drop someone off. The landside approach and parking area is world class. Such a welcome change than the garbage ridden tiolet smelling taxi dump called parking at the HAL airport. Reached terminal in 25mins flat at 7PM on a sunday from Hebbal flyover. THe signal time setting at traffic junctions is screwed up. It is allowing approximately 4 cars before turning red again causing pile ups.

there was an item that porters are available in BIAL

the presence of porters shows that the premises are not up to internatinal standards and speaks poorly of the standard, quality & affluence of the place but speaks highly of the backwardness of the place.

no international airport in the world  has any porters for the service of pasengers.

PORTERS SHOULD BE BANISHED FROM BIAL;

FOR THE BENEFIT OF OLD & INFIRM PEOPLE, IT SHOULD BE THE DUTY OF THE RESPECTIVE AIRLINES TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE.

Srinath Heragu

I too had been to the airport again to judge the traffic flow, will file in a report on that laters meanwhile this is some thing that caught my eye.
Airport taxi - accident, Road safe? or just another reckless driver

This was at the Chikjala Police station, caught my eye and i asked my cousin to take a U turn for a better view, This accident probably took place on the firstday or the second day of the airport opening!
For this very reason i would feel safer in a BMTC Volvo!
-- Praveen Sundaram AkA PhotoYogi

The problem is that AAI, a part of MoCA, is a partner in BIAL, DGCA gave the go ahead to BIAL. Just for your information, I received info, that the roof of the control tower is leaking. Just discovered in the rains. Imagine a nice short circuit somewhere and the havoc it will play.

I agree with you that MoCA is the "Mai Baap" of all things Aviation in India, but if they are already in BIA camp, then what can we further expect.

Is anyone on planet earth ready to believe that GoK and/or GoI did not know the un-readiness ?

If I remember right, the contract called for the airport to be constructed within 3 years of the financial closure, which occured in June or July 2005. That is the logocal explanation I can come up with, for the hurried launch.

Check out my latest article http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com/2008/05/has-bial-lied-to-bangalore.html. 

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

Hi All,

I made a trip to BIAL on sunday & have already posted some pictures here:

http://flickr.com/photos/13879352@N07/sets/72157605249857719/ 

The traffic almost all along Bellary rd was very dense & I am now convinced that it will be grid-locked like many other roads within the city very soon, unless a train or a BRT is provided for BIAL & many more flyovers are built all along the road. Being the first sunday after BIAL opened, there were many curious visitors like me wanting to get a first-hand glimpse of the airport, but even then, with development all along Bellary rd (huge apartment complexes are coming up at many points) & with the imminent expansion of the airport soon, I dont think this road will suffice, if other options are not provided.

Strangely, it took me only abt 25 mins from Hebbal flyover to old airport rd (being a sunday), whereas it had taken me close to an hour from BIAL to Hebbal, with only a 10 minute stop en-route.

A prioritized BRT or an LRT /Metro with limited stops will be a must as the BIAL buses are already getting caught up in traffic & were trying to use the service lanes for faster movements, along with many other cars, etc. !

The areas that pose problems & chaos are Kodigehalli-Sahakarnagar, Byatarayanpura, Yelahanka (two points at entry & exit from bypass), Bagalur cross & Kogilu. Sadahalli cross, near ITC & close to the airport is another future chaos point as some air caterers are stationed here & I saw some truck movements from here to airport & vice-versa.

Now that a properly elected govt is likely to be at the helm, I hope they give some thrust on the connectivity issue to prepare well to avert chaotic scenes, which are likely to pose obstacles to movements to the new airport & back.

Assumption: Initial capacity estimates were decided by the Govt and not by BIA.

If something is not mentioned here means its ok.

1) So they need to do start the Expansion of this terminal NOW and complete in 6 months- they need the drive for that.
And the distance between the entrance and check-in counters is not suffcient, and the depth needs to increase by 30 to 40 % to accommodate queues and allow free passage for people to walk across. And they have to e nsure this is implemented in the extended terminal- or else it will be useless. This means the extension needs to have greater depth overall than current building (not just for the checkin area, but all other areas as well- like 'departure gates waiting area etc' which appear to be crowded) - now that will be a redesign- and the front side of the extended terminal building will move forward and cannot be in line with front side of existing building unless the move that forward as well -or- have the back side of extension needs to be extended further backwards from existing plan -or- build one more floor -or- sign a foolproof legal agreement where HAL continues for few more months and will be certainly be shut down when you have completed constructing the redesign where the entire first phase will move forward by 30 percent -or- continue with existing 1st phase plan but radically redesign terminal 2 on the other side adjacent to runway number 2 to 30 million capacity and start construction right away and construct an underground magnetic rail system between the 2 terminals like in Zurich Terminal E and complete this in double quick time. Logically the city(airport) that gives you the best rate of return on investment deserves the best infrastructure aint it- and logically its not supposed to be based relatively on past conditions but based absolutely on what future needs and potential are.
2) They need to start implementing Phase 2 rightaway and in parallel with expansion of current terminal.

If they dont do 1) & 2) and as a result if it turns out to be the same old failure story - then they could end up being in deep deep trouble, and for their own sakes at least i hope they do it.
If they(BIA) happen to slow down Bangalore's growth and if this is evinced in a year, then even the courts will not support them- i hope they take note. The money they spend on the airport is nothing compared to Bangalore's growth potential- i mean if they dont deliver in a year- then they can be compensated and on their way out. They need to live and breathe Bangalore in order to understand what Bangalore needs. Let them not let down the very public who supported them and who still continue to support them now - or the same public who patronize them now will end up turning against them in a year.
I sincerely hope they take note.

Immediate fix for passenger overcrowding in terminal building: For passengers who come early due to fear of missing the flight due to lack of reliable connectivity - install a structure outside terminal to accommodate people who come in early with facilities like shops, washrooms  etc- it will serve its purpose even for the long term.

I nknow thsi particular forum is all about "BIAL What is gogod at what is bad " but I just coyuld not resist.

It is actaully a pleasure driving down IRR( koramangla to airport broad and on the "old" airport road and on indioranagar 100ft road.

The difference is perceptible from a few days ago..the obnly change agent being the BIAL and teh BJP government(The second I think can be discoubnted for now!)

Now truth be told..my opposition to HAl staying open was a very mercenary self serving issue ..my own life being better on the IRR and airport roads!!

But more seriously, an airport debete is subservient to an overall city planning debate..solutiions to a lot of our problems lie in good city planning..that si my area of intrest , that is my area of PILs! more of that later , as of now , just enoying driving for a change.

Devesh,

Surprising to hear that from you - a right winger as far as economics goes :). 

IMHO - outsourcing in itself does not lead to chaos.  In the company I worked for earlier a number of business processes (including payroll!) were outsourced.  But not once was a paycheque delayed.  It was clarity and accountability for the process.

a. We need to define the outcome of the process and meaure them.  What gets measured gets controlled.  Every process has a customer service aspect to it and an operational aspect to it.  The former takes precedence always. 

b. Map the process - including a lead time map.  Where are the critical hand offs happening? Do

c. Have a process owner who will be accountable for the process.  No team business here.

d. Document the process and ensure that EVERYONE understands it and is able to recite it in his/her sleep.

I hope someone from BIAL reads this.

Srivathsa

Hi all,

I read an article in TOI which says that all airlines have raised concerns regarding aerobridge unavailability/bad design at BIA. This article also gives some info about luggage related delays. The link is here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Bangalore/Ground_realities/articleshow/3078239.cms

excerpt: For one, international airlines, which fly wide-body aircraft, unlike domestic carriers, cannot park their planes even if one aerobridge is free. Reason: although BIA has eight aerobridges, only 4-5 wide-body aircraft can park because the space in between hasn't been accounted for.

As the BIA has a common parking area for international and domestic aircraft, incoming international airlines have to wait for two aerobridges to free up to park at one of them.

What's hurting the airlines is that idling on the taxiway is burning up precious fuel. Further, BIA charges Rs 10,000 for the use of its aerobridges for a maximum of 90 minutes, something the old HAL airport never charged for. With constant delays, airlines have to shell out lot more money.

BIAL's response to the above is in this article:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Bangalore/Everything_is_fine_says_BIAL/articleshow/3078267.cms

I think this delay to connect to aerobridge will continue as long as there is no other option. Probably years. What do you think? AS the terminal building has already been built, it might not be practical to change it or add new aerobridges. One solution I see is to build one more terminal. OR, park the aircraft at a distance and then use buses to transport passengers.

Hopefully this will be of help to Praja members and other Bangaloreans.

You can now obtain Real Time flight Departure and Arrival information for BIAL Airport, Bangalore, on the Bangalore Aviation blog.

-----------------------

Regards

Devesh R. Agarwal

Visit my aviation blog at http://aviation.deveshagarwal.com

Idontspam, thanks for that pointer on the hard landings, i have noticed the same and Here are some Photos

This is a sequence of pictures i took in the first week of operation of BIA had not given much focus on the thought that it could be due to a faulty guideslope.
Please note not all the landings were hard this is a selection of pics where i saw some tyre smoke at touch down.
Since you seem to know a lot more than me on these techinical jargon, Is it too much to re-program the auto pilots settings? Again a naive question, I thought the takeoff / Landing is manual the cruising is on auto pilot?

-- Praveen Sundaram AkA PhotoYogi