Intl airport trial run in Nov '07

The trial run of the Bangalore International Airport at Devanahalli will be carried out in November 2007, four months ahead of the commencement of scheduled operations, Karnataka's infrastructure development and tourism minister B Sreeramulu said here on Friday.

The minister, who inspected the project work being executed by the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), told reporters later that the progress of construction was as per schedule.

"The airport will become operational on April 2, 2008 as planned. Flights will start landing on a trial basis from November 2007 itself," he added.

The new airport will be able to handle up to 11 million passengers. Work on the Air Traffic Control tower, terminal building, runway, taxiway and apron is in progress, the minister said.

BIAL is a private Indian airport operator that will design, build, own and operate the first greenfield private sector-owned and operated airport in India.

Private promoters hold a 74 per cent stake in BIAL while the state holds the remaining 26 per cent.