Reopen HAL airport in B’lore: aerospace major chief

BANGALORE, Sept 13:
Aerospace major HAL today said re-opening of HAL airport here will place the city in the league of international cities which have more than one airport.
Speaking at a function organised by Society of Indian Aerospace Technologies (SIATI) here, HAL Chairman R K Tyagi said apart from its previous experience, HAL has the infrastructure and capacity to achieve this goal.
Re-opening of the airport will also benefit the people of the region, he added.
HAL airport which served as the city’s sole domestic and international airport for decades was shut in 2008 after Bengaluru International Airport at Devanahalli came into being.
Tyagi also suggested the formation of Indian Aeronautics Commission to bring various organisations and institutes currently functioning under different ministries under one umbrella for better cohesion and decision making.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who was present, hailed the contribution of HAL in laying strong foundations that ultimately turned Karnataka into the aerospace hub of India.
HAL in a release said Siddaramaiah and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, G M Siddeshwara, felicitated Tyagi for his contribution to the development of aeronautics sector in India. (PTI)