Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

(a)what steps are being taken in the immediate short term to upgrade facilities and increase capacity at the current HAL Bangalore International Airport; and

(b) whether the Airports Authority of India would use the domestic terminal infrastructure to serve International traffic especially late night and early morning when there are much fewer or no domestic flights and passengers?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION ( SHRI PRAFUL PATEL )

(a)Airports Authority of India (AAI) has undertaken and completed expansion and modification of International and Domestic terminal buildings to ease congestion and to augment the facilities at HAL Airport, Bangalore in July, 2006 which, inter-alia include realignment of 13 check-in-counters and security hold area, provision of one additional lift and conveyor, air-conditioning of entire terminal in International terminal building and extension of check-in-area and security hold area and provision of six extra check-in-counters in Domestic terminal building.

(b) Yes, Sir. AAI has a proposal to use Domestic terminal building to serve International traffic when there are fewer or no domestic flights.