BIAL's Second Runway cleared

BIA’s second phase of expansion as per the masterplan which envisages a second runway and a terminal block is slated to come up in the next 3-4 years. The company has got a consultancy firm to guide it on its expansion plans.BIA’s second runway, which is slated to come up on the south of the airport, had run in to turbulence as the approach path for landing aircraft was in line with the approach path of the Yelahanka air base’s runway. “We have obtained an NOC from the ministry of defence,” said Marcel Hungerbuehler, COO, BIAL. In respect to the UDF of Rs 675 (plus taxes) that the passengers will be charged after the airport completes three months, Brunner said: “In the next ten days we will submit the final audited cost of the project to the civil aviation ministry, after which a UDF will be decided upon. But for the airport to break even in the next five years, we need to charge UDF of Rs 675 for domestic passengers.” Currently, UDF of Rs 1,070 is being charged to international passengers.The UDF will help bring in confidence to the three promoters — Siemens Projects Ventures GmbH, Zurich Airport and L&T — to go to banks and raise debt for funding the second round of expansion.