1st flight from new B'lore airport to S'pore

The BIAL, which has received clearances from the Civil Aviation Ministry to start commercial operations, has already informed airlines that all flights landing or departing after 00:00 hours on May 23, would operate from the new airport.     

The switchover of operations from the existing HAL airport to BIAL would take place from that time. The security of the airport has already been handed over to the Central Industrial Security Force.     

The airport would be formally inaugurated on a suitable date next month after completion of the election process in Karnataka.     

Senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury, who heads the parliamentary Standing Committee that covers civil aviation, has suggested that the new Bangalore airport be named after Tipu Sultan.     

He wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh saying that Devanahalli happens to be the birth place of legendary Tipu Sultan, who valiantly fought the British in the 18th century.     

The inaugural ceremony of the airport had been delayed due to operational clearances, demands for retaining the existing HAL airport for short haul flights, a court case to this effect and the controversy over levy of user charges. Earlier, it was slated for launch on March 28.