The other day I was at HAL airport or generally known as Bangalore airport. They have been quite busy in modifying the international departure terminal, making it look better and moving the luggage check-in counters to the ground floor. Anyways that doesn't change the fact that the airport is under heavy pressure for upgradation. Unlike most airports around the country, this airport has one runway which has to bear the load of Domestic and International flights, Cargo, Chartered flights used by politicans and businessmen and ofcourse you cannot forget the main users to whom the airport belongs to HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
On that beautiful day when the weather was plesant, the Airbus 320 which was scheduled to leave on time at 10 am was asked to wait for 15-20 minutes as they were put on a queue for takeoff. There position was number 9 on the queue. By the way this particular Airbus belonged to the Srilankan Airlines fleet which was headed from Bangalore to Columbo. When the 20 minutes were up, the pilot agained announced that there would be another 15-20 minutes delay as the air traffic was heavy. This did make me realise one thing that Bangalore has made itself well known for Traffic delays on road and now ofcourse even in air. Finally when these 20 minutes ended, the plane was reversed and asked to wait on the supporting runway behind 2 other planes - one AirDeccan and the other Jet Airways. Anyways it took another 15 minutes for takeoff during which 3 planes were landed and the preceding 2 planes were made to takeoff. When this plane taxied the runway, I could see another 4 flights waiting on the supporting runway for takeoff.
Even with the heavy pressure for the completion of the new Bangalore International Airport since the early 90s is showing slow progress. Atleast I really appreciate the work the Air Traffic Controllers at Bangalore HAL Airport are doing to keep things moving under so much pressure. I am hoping that day will come soon when their pressure is reduced with the completion of the International airport.
On that beautiful day when the weather was plesant, the Airbus 320 which was scheduled to leave on time at 10 am was asked to wait for 15-20 minutes as they were put on a queue for takeoff. There position was number 9 on the queue. By the way this particular Airbus belonged to the Srilankan Airlines fleet which was headed from Bangalore to Columbo. When the 20 minutes were up, the pilot agained announced that there would be another 15-20 minutes delay as the air traffic was heavy. This did make me realise one thing that Bangalore has made itself well known for Traffic delays on road and now ofcourse even in air. Finally when these 20 minutes ended, the plane was reversed and asked to wait on the supporting runway behind 2 other planes - one AirDeccan and the other Jet Airways. Anyways it took another 15 minutes for takeoff during which 3 planes were landed and the preceding 2 planes were made to takeoff. When this plane taxied the runway, I could see another 4 flights waiting on the supporting runway for takeoff.
Even with the heavy pressure for the completion of the new Bangalore International Airport since the early 90s is showing slow progress. Atleast I really appreciate the work the Air Traffic Controllers at Bangalore HAL Airport are doing to keep things moving under so much pressure. I am hoping that day will come soon when their pressure is reduced with the completion of the International airport.
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