Aviation Ministry seeks permit to retain old B'lore airport

NEW DEAL? The Aviation Ministry wants the old HAL airport to be used for smaller craft.

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New Delhi: The Civil Aviation Ministry has asked the Bangalore International Airport authorities if they can allow the old HAL airport to be used for smaller and regional aircraft.

"Will ask Bangalore International airport to see if they can allow HAL airport to be used for smaller and regional aircraft," Civil Aviation Minister, Praful Patel said.

The Ministry made the request at a meeting called on Tuesday to discuss the Karnataka High Court's suggestion to retain the old airport.

Sources say this essentially means the government wants a fresh agreement that addresses the concerns raised by the court — this, even as sources say the new airport is likely to be opened now on May 29 instead of May 11 as earlier planned.

Officials representing the Greenfield Airport, the Karnataka government and the Airports Authority of India were present at the meeting.

This is the second delay for the airport, which was to start commercial operations on March 30.

Sources say the airport will now be opened once the Assembly elections are over in Karnataka.

Meanwhile, the government is holding consultations on Tuesday on the High Court's suggestion for re-negotiation of user development fee and closure of the old HAL airport.