High rises could ground Bengaluru air show

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If Aero India flies out of Bengaluru, the high rises in the suburb of Yelahanka and its increasing air traffic would be the reason even as the suspense continues over whether the IT city has lost its status as the venue of the next Aero India. While the Government of Karnataka is battling to retain the biennial show in its capital, the organisers of the air show have their own concerns organising the show in Bengaluru.

While the Ministry of Defence has chosen to keep silent, Mr Gurpal Singh, Head of Aerospace Division in Confederation of Indian Industry, which is a partner with Ministry of Defence in organising Aero India 2013, said: “The venue is not decided yet.” “There definitely are talks over moving Aero India out of Bengaluru. There are a few options that are being considered and it is not decided whether the 2013 show will be organised in Bengaluru,” he added.

There were some ‘serious issues’ with Yelahanka, he said. “During Aero India 2011, the disaster management team had expressed certain concerns about the huge and increasing number of high rise buildings around the Yelahanka air base. This continues to be an issue.

“Another reason is the BIAL letter to the Civil Aviation ministry expressing concern over its losses caused by shutting operations to facilitate the show,” Mr Singh added. The BIA shares Bengaluru airspace with Yelahanka air base and the HAL airport. Due to its proximity to Yelahanka, BIA shuts daytime operations during Aero India. Also, flights are rescheduled to facilitate practice sessions. But Bengaluru can still let its hopes soar as sources in the Defence Ministry and CII admitted that the organisers face a tough time finding a suitable alternative to Yelahanka.

Asked whether BIAL would agree to shut the runway to facilitate Aero India, a BIAL spokesman said: “Aero India is recognised globally as a premier aerospace exhibition and BIA has always supported the show. We’ve rescheduled flights and maintained closure hours for both practices as well as main shows. Due to prior planning and collective decision making, inconvenience to passengers and airlines have been addressed.”

An MoD official said the BIAL had expressed airspace management concerns, but no decision has been taken yet on moving the Aero India show out of Bengaluru.