HAL Airport - Revision history

StevieJ461261267: added references

2025-11-25T06:05:46Z

added references

CleanupBot: /* History */clean up

2023-10-07T19:01:13Z

History: clean up

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:31, 8 October 2023
Line 33:		Line 33:
	[[File:HAL Airport passenger terminal, Bangalore, Jun 2006.jpg\|thumb\|The passenger terminal viewed in 2006]]		[[File:HAL Airport passenger terminal, Bangalore, Jun 2006.jpg\|thumb\|The passenger terminal viewed in 2006]]

	During [[World War II]], Indian magnate [[Walchand Hirachand]] sought to build and repair planes in India, which at the time did not have any aircraft industry of its own. He found a partner in American businessman [[William Pawley]], and the two received authorization from the British War Cabinet to set up a factory. Meanwhile, the [[Kingdom of Mysore\|princely state of Mysore]] offered 200 acres in [[Bangalore]] for the construction of an airfield.<ref name="meiji">{{cite journal \| url=http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~transfer/paper/pdf/09/03_Ramnath.pdf \| title=International Networks and Aircraft Manufacture in Colonial and Postcolonial India: States, Entrepreneurs and Educational Institutions, 1940-64 \| author=Ramnath, Aparajith \| journal=History of Global Arms Transfer \| year=2020 \| issue=9 \| pages=~~41-59~~ \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704150238/http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~transfer/paper/pdf/09/03_Ramnath.pdf \| archivedate=4 July 2021}}</ref> Hirachand, his colleagues, and the Mysore government jointly formed a company called Hindustan Aircraft Limited (the original name of present-day [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]], or HAL) and in December 1940 laid the cornerstone of the facility, which began operations just one month later.<ref name="meiji"/><ref name="flight54">{{cite journal \| url=http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202391.PDF \| title=Hindustan Aircraft, Ltd. \| journal=Flight \| date=27 August 1954 \| page=296 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510094328/http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202391.PDF \| archivedate=10 May 2013}}</ref> The [[British Raj\|colonial government]] joined the venture in 1941. As fears of Japanese ambitions rose following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], the British Raj decided to requisition the airfield in April 1942. It then allowed the US [[Tenth Air Force]] to repair its aircraft in Bangalore, and the following year the Americans began running the factory.<ref name="meiji"/> With the US Air Force in charge, the facility focused on fixing and overhauling aircraft and engines, as well as producing drop tanks. Workers tended to a wide range of planes, including [[Consolidated PBY Catalina\|Catalinas]] and [[C-47 Dakota]]s.<ref name="meiji"/><ref>{{cite journal \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njtHAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA18-PA7&lpg=RA18-PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false \| title=Civil aviation in India \| author=Kendall, N. W. \| journal=World Trade Information Service Part 4: Utilities Abroad \| date=November 1955 \| volume=55 \| issue=21 \| page=7}}</ref> Upon the war's conclusion, the Indian government reassumed control of the airport.<ref name="flight54"/>		During [[World War II]], Indian magnate [[Walchand Hirachand]] sought to build and repair planes in India, which at the time did not have any aircraft industry of its own. He found a partner in American businessman [[William Pawley]], and the two received authorization from the British War Cabinet to set up a factory. Meanwhile, the [[Kingdom of Mysore\|princely state of Mysore]] offered 200 acres in [[Bangalore]] for the construction of an airfield.<ref name="meiji">{{cite journal \| url=http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~transfer/paper/pdf/09/03_Ramnath.pdf \| title=International Networks and Aircraft Manufacture in Colonial and Postcolonial India: States, Entrepreneurs and Educational Institutions, 1940-64 \| author=Ramnath, Aparajith \| journal=History of Global Arms Transfer \| year=2020 \| issue=9 \| pages=41–59 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704150238/http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~transfer/paper/pdf/09/03_Ramnath.pdf \| archivedate=4 July 2021}}</ref> Hirachand, his colleagues, and the Mysore government jointly formed a company called Hindustan Aircraft Limited (the original name of present-day [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]], or HAL) and in December 1940 laid the cornerstone of the facility, which began operations just one month later.<ref name="meiji"/><ref name="flight54">{{cite journal \| url=http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202391.PDF \| title=Hindustan Aircraft, Ltd. \| journal=Flight \| date=27 August 1954 \| page=296 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510094328/http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202391.PDF \| archivedate=10 May 2013}}</ref> The [[British Raj\|colonial government]] joined the venture in 1941. As fears of Japanese ambitions rose following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], the British Raj decided to requisition the airfield in April 1942. It then allowed the US [[Tenth Air Force]] to repair its aircraft in Bangalore, and the following year the Americans began running the factory.<ref name="meiji"/> With the US Air Force in charge, the facility focused on fixing and overhauling aircraft and engines, as well as producing drop tanks. Workers tended to a wide range of planes, including [[Consolidated PBY Catalina\|Catalinas]] and [[C-47 Dakota]]s.<ref name="meiji"/><ref>{{cite journal \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njtHAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA18-PA7&lpg=RA18-PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false \| title=Civil aviation in India \| author=Kendall, N. W. \| journal=World Trade Information Service Part 4: Utilities Abroad \| date=November 1955 \| volume=55 \| issue=21 \| page=7}}</ref> Upon the war's conclusion, the Indian government reassumed control of the airport.<ref name="flight54"/>

	On the civilian front, Bangalore had commercial air service as early as 1948. At that time, [[Air India]] was stopping in the city six times per week on its [[Madras]]-[[Trivandrum]] flight.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il4805.htm \| title=Air-India Limited Time-Table and Fare Schedule in Force from 17th May 1948 \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122170837/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il4805.htm \| archivedate=22 January 2021}}</ref> Four years later, Airways (India) and [[Deccan Airways Limited\|Deccan Airways]] were also flying to the airport, linking it to a handful of destinations in South India.<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/atai52.htm \| title=Official Airline Guide \| work=Air Transport Association of India \| date=July 1952 \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| volume=2 \| issue=9}}</ref> The national government then combined all domestic carriers into a single company called [[Indian Airlines]], which was offering nonstop service from Bangalore to six cities by 1970.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ic70/ic70-01.jpg \| title=Summer Schedules and Tariff, Effective 15th June 1970 \| publisher=Indian Airlines \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080811044021/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ic70/ic70-01.jpg \| archivedate=11 August 2008}}</ref> Regional airline [[Vayudoot]] had joined Indian Airlines by the late 1980s, operating flights within [[Karnataka]] as well as to neighbouring [[Tamil Nadu]]. Meanwhile, Indian Airlines' network from Bangalore had expanded to 13 destinations, from [[Delhi]] in the north to Trivandrum in the south.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.departedflights.com/BLR89intro.html \| title=Airlines and Aircraft Serving Bangalore Effective January 15, 1989 \| work=Official Airline Guide: Worldwide Edition \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archivedate=4 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224418/http://www.departedflights.com/BLR89intro.html}}</ref>		On the civilian front, Bangalore had commercial air service as early as 1948. At that time, [[Air India]] was stopping in the city six times per week on its [[Madras]]-[[Trivandrum]] flight.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il4805.htm \| title=Air-India Limited Time-Table and Fare Schedule in Force from 17th May 1948 \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122170837/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il4805.htm \| archivedate=22 January 2021}}</ref> Four years later, Airways (India) and [[Deccan Airways Limited\|Deccan Airways]] were also flying to the airport, linking it to a handful of destinations in South India.<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/atai52.htm \| title=Official Airline Guide \| work=Air Transport Association of India \| date=July 1952 \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| volume=2 \| issue=9}}</ref> The national government then combined all domestic carriers into a single company called [[Indian Airlines]], which was offering nonstop service from Bangalore to six cities by 1970.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ic70/ic70-01.jpg \| title=Summer Schedules and Tariff, Effective 15th June 1970 \| publisher=Indian Airlines \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080811044021/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ic70/ic70-01.jpg \| archivedate=11 August 2008}}</ref> Regional airline [[Vayudoot]] had joined Indian Airlines by the late 1980s, operating flights within [[Karnataka]] as well as to neighbouring [[Tamil Nadu]]. Meanwhile, Indian Airlines' network from Bangalore had expanded to 13 destinations, from [[Delhi]] in the north to Trivandrum in the south.<ref>{{cite web \| url=http://www.departedflights.com/BLR89intro.html \| title=Airlines and Aircraft Serving Bangalore Effective January 15, 1989 \| work=Official Airline Guide: Worldwide Edition \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archivedate=4 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224418/http://www.departedflights.com/BLR89intro.html}}</ref>

	During the 1990s, the number of passengers the airport was handling began to rise at a quick rate. While 1,000 travellers were passing through the terminal daily in 1991, more than six times that number were doing so by 1997.<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19970131-wranglings-between-the-centre-and-karnataka-puts-proposed-devanahalli-airport-in-limbo-831751-1997-01-31 \| title=Wranglings between the Centre and Karnataka puts proposed Devanahalli airport in limbo \| work=India Today \| date=31 January 1997 \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| author=David, Stephen \| archivedate=25 December 2019 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225140400/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19970131-wranglings-between-the-centre-and-karnataka-puts-proposed-devanahalli-airport-in-limbo-831751-1997-01-31}}</ref> Additionally, Air India delivered Bangalore its first international destination, [[Singapore]], in January 1995.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/history.php \| title=History of Bengaluru Customs Zone \| publisher=Bengaluru Customs Commissionerate \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archivedate=9 August 2018 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809081907/https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/history.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=czdWAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA19-PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false \| title=Bangalore-Singapore Flight Inaugurated \| work=India News \| date=1-15 January 1995 \| agency=Press Trust of India \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| volume=34 \| number=1}}</ref> The [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) started enhancing the airport's facilities toward the end of the decade, constructing an [[instrument landing system]] for the runway and another terminal.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbZ-fuq_RUkC&pg=PA439&lpg=PA439#v=onepage&q&f=false \| title=A Textbook of Transportation Engineering \| publisher=S. Chand and Company Limited \| author=Chandola, S. P. \| year=2001 \| isbn=978-81-219-2072-8 \| page=439}}</ref> The arrivals section of the two-storey building could serve 700 domestic and 300 international passengers at a time, while the departures area had a capacity for 300 international travellers. At the inauguration ceremony in January 1999, then Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] associated Bangalore's rising global stature and bustling economy with the need for the new terminal. At the same time, he observed that the city's accelerated pace of growth meant that the expansion would only help in the short-term, so government leaders needed to press forward with plans to build a new airport.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://archive.org/details/primeministerata01unse/page/170/mode/2up \| title=Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Selected Speeches \| publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India \| volume=1 \| chapter=Corporatization necessary to develop country's airports \| pages=~~170-172~~ \| date=1 January 1999}}</ref>		During the 1990s, the number of passengers the airport was handling began to rise at a quick rate. While 1,000 travellers were passing through the terminal daily in 1991, more than six times that number were doing so by 1997.<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19970131-wranglings-between-the-centre-and-karnataka-puts-proposed-devanahalli-airport-in-limbo-831751-1997-01-31 \| title=Wranglings between the Centre and Karnataka puts proposed Devanahalli airport in limbo \| work=India Today \| date=31 January 1997 \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| author=David, Stephen \| archivedate=25 December 2019 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225140400/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19970131-wranglings-between-the-centre-and-karnataka-puts-proposed-devanahalli-airport-in-limbo-831751-1997-01-31}}</ref> Additionally, Air India delivered Bangalore its first international destination, [[Singapore]], in January 1995.<ref>{{cite web \| url=https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/history.php \| title=History of Bengaluru Customs Zone \| publisher=Bengaluru Customs Commissionerate \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| archivedate=9 August 2018 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809081907/https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/history.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=czdWAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA19-PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false \| title=Bangalore-Singapore Flight Inaugurated \| work=India News \| date=1-15 January 1995 \| agency=Press Trust of India \| accessdate=4 July 2021 \| volume=34 \| number=1}}</ref> The [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) started enhancing the airport's facilities toward the end of the decade, constructing an [[instrument landing system]] for the runway and another terminal.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbZ-fuq_RUkC&pg=PA439&lpg=PA439#v=onepage&q&f=false \| title=A Textbook of Transportation Engineering \| publisher=S. Chand and Company Limited \| author=Chandola, S. P. \| year=2001 \| isbn=978-81-219-2072-8 \| page=439}}</ref> The arrivals section of the two-storey building could serve 700 domestic and 300 international passengers at a time, while the departures area had a capacity for 300 international travellers. At the inauguration ceremony in January 1999, then Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] associated Bangalore's rising global stature and bustling economy with the need for the new terminal. At the same time, he observed that the city's accelerated pace of growth meant that the expansion would only help in the short-term, so government leaders needed to press forward with plans to build a new airport.<ref>{{cite book \| url=https://archive.org/details/primeministerata01unse/page/170/mode/2up \| title=Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Selected Speeches \| publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India \| volume=1 \| chapter=Corporatization necessary to develop country's airports \| pages=170–172 \| date=1 January 1999}}</ref>

	The year 2000 saw the Bangalore airport land its first foreign carrier, [[Royal Nepal Airlines]], which initiated a route to [[Kathmandu]].<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=8141 \| title=RNAC to Bangalore \| work=Nepali Times \| date=3-9 November 2000 \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| number=15 \| archivedate=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="source6">{{cite news \| url=http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/12/preparing-for-take-off.html \| title=Preparing for take-off \| work=The Hindu Business Line \| date=24 December 2005 \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104042457/http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/12/preparing-for-take-off.html \| archivedate=4 January 2006}}</ref> One year later, a [[Lufthansa]] Airbus A340 touched down from [[Frankfurt]], Germany, signalling the first time the South Indian metropolis had a direct link to Europe.<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/lufthansa-refuses-to-give-a-i-a-lift/articleshow/2112972766.cms \| title=Lufthansa refuses to give A-I a lift \| work=The Times of India \| date=3 September 2001 \| agency=Times News Network \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705170807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/lufthansa-refuses-to-give-a-i-a-lift/articleshow/2112972766.cms \| archivedate=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/04/stories/06040009.htm \| title=Lufthansa services from Bangalore \| work=The Hindu \| date=3 September 2001 \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106053548/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/04/stories/06040009.htm \| archivedate=6 November 2004}}</ref>		The year 2000 saw the Bangalore airport land its first foreign carrier, [[Royal Nepal Airlines]], which initiated a route to [[Kathmandu]].<ref>{{cite news \| url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=8141 \| title=RNAC to Bangalore \| work=Nepali Times \| date=3-9 November 2000 \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| number=15 \| archivedate=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="source6">{{cite news \| url=http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/12/preparing-for-take-off.html \| title=Preparing for take-off \| work=The Hindu Business Line \| date=24 December 2005 \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104042457/http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/12/preparing-for-take-off.html \| archivedate=4 January 2006}}</ref> One year later, a [[Lufthansa]] Airbus A340 touched down from [[Frankfurt]], Germany, signalling the first time the South Indian metropolis had a direct link to Europe.<ref>{{cite news \| url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/lufthansa-refuses-to-give-a-i-a-lift/articleshow/2112972766.cms \| title=Lufthansa refuses to give A-I a lift \| work=The Times of India \| date=3 September 2001 \| agency=Times News Network \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705170807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/lufthansa-refuses-to-give-a-i-a-lift/articleshow/2112972766.cms \| archivedate=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news \| url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/04/stories/06040009.htm \| title=Lufthansa services from Bangalore \| work=The Hindu \| date=3 September 2001 \| accessdate=5 July 2021 \| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106053548/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/04/stories/06040009.htm \| archivedate=6 November 2004}}</ref>

Kamal Guha: Secondary category deleted

2023-06-24T16:54:24Z

Secondary category deleted

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:24, 24 June 2023
Line 95:		Line 95:

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Hal Airport}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Hal Airport}}
	~~[[Category:Airports in India]]~~
	[[Category:Airports established in 1940]]		[[Category:Airports established in 1940]]
	[[Category:Airports disestablished in 2008]]		[[Category:Airports disestablished in 2008]]

>Sunnya343: /* History */ rewording per sources + style

2021-07-08T01:53:24Z

History: rewording per sources + style

New page

{{other uses|HAL (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox airport
| name = HAL Airport
| image =
| image-width = 250
| IATA = ''none''
| ICAO = VOBG
| type = Military
| owner =
| operator = * [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]]
* [[Airports Authority of India]]
| city-served =
| location = [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], [[India]]
| elevation-f = 2,912
| elevation-m = 888
| coordinates = {{coord|12|57|0|N|77|40|6|E|type:airport_region:IN_elevation:888|display=inline,title}}
| website =
| pushpin_map = India Bangalore#India Karnataka#India
| pushpin_label = '''VOBG'''
| r1-number = 09/27
| r1-length-f = 10,850
| r1-length-m = 3,307
| r1-surface = [[Asphalt]]
| footnotes =
}}

'''HAL Airport''' {{airport codes|''none''|VOBG}}, also known as '''Hindustan Airport''', is an [[airport]] located in [[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]], India. Due to its location in the heart of the city, it used to serve as a hub for [[General aviation|general]], [[business aviation|business]] and VIP aviation, as well as being used by the [[Indian Air Force]] as a cargo and logistics base, and as a testing facility by [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]]. It served as the city's main domestic and international airport until 24 May 2008, when it was replaced by the new, much larger [[Kempegowda International Airport]] in [[Devanahalli]]. There have since been repeated attempts to restart commercial service at the airport, but {{as of|lc=yes|2015}} was being used only for non-scheduled, military cargo/logistics, VIP aircraft movements, and as a diversion alternative to Kempegowda International Airport in case of emergencies.

== History ==

[[File:HAL Airport passenger terminal, Bangalore, Jun 2006.jpg|thumb|The passenger terminal viewed in 2006]]

During [[World War II]], Indian magnate [[Walchand Hirachand]] sought to build and repair planes in India, which at the time did not have any aircraft industry of its own. He found a partner in American businessman [[William Pawley]], and the two received authorization from the British War Cabinet to set up a factory. Meanwhile, the [[Kingdom of Mysore|princely state of Mysore]] offered 200 acres in [[Bangalore]] for the construction of an airfield.<ref name="meiji">{{cite journal | url=http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~transfer/paper/pdf/09/03_Ramnath.pdf | title=International Networks and Aircraft Manufacture in Colonial and Postcolonial India: States, Entrepreneurs and Educational Institutions, 1940-64 | author=Ramnath, Aparajith | journal=History of Global Arms Transfer | year=2020 | issue=9 | pages=41-59 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704150238/http://www.isc.meiji.ac.jp/~transfer/paper/pdf/09/03_Ramnath.pdf | archivedate=4 July 2021}}</ref> Hirachand, his colleagues, and the Mysore government jointly formed a company called Hindustan Aircraft Limited (the original name of present-day [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited]], or HAL) and in December 1940 laid the cornerstone of the facility, which began operations just one month later.<ref name="meiji"/><ref name="flight54">{{cite journal | url=http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202391.PDF | title=Hindustan Aircraft, Ltd. | journal=Flight | date=27 August 1954 | page=296 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510094328/http://www.flightglobal.com/FlightPDFArchive/1954/1954%20-%202391.PDF | archivedate=10 May 2013}}</ref> The [[British Raj|colonial government]] joined the venture in 1941. As fears of Japanese ambitions rose following the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], the British Raj decided to requisition the airfield in April 1942. It then allowed the US [[Tenth Air Force]] to repair its aircraft in Bangalore, and the following year the Americans began running the factory.<ref name="meiji"/> With the US Air Force in charge, the facility focused on fixing and overhauling aircraft and engines, as well as producing drop tanks. Workers tended to a wide range of planes, including [[Consolidated PBY Catalina|Catalinas]] and [[C-47 Dakota]]s.<ref name="meiji"/><ref>{{cite journal | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=njtHAQAAIAAJ&pg=RA18-PA7&lpg=RA18-PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=Civil aviation in India | author=Kendall, N. W. | journal=World Trade Information Service Part 4: Utilities Abroad | date=November 1955 | volume=55 | issue=21 | page=7}}</ref> Upon the war's conclusion, the Indian government reassumed control of the airport.<ref name="flight54"/>

On the civilian front, Bangalore had commercial air service as early as 1948. At that time, [[Air India]] was stopping in the city six times per week on its [[Madras]]-[[Trivandrum]] flight.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il4805.htm | title=Air-India Limited Time-Table and Fare Schedule in Force from 17th May 1948 | accessdate=4 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122170837/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/il4805.htm | archivedate=22 January 2021}}</ref> Four years later, Airways (India) and [[Deccan Airways Limited|Deccan Airways]] were also flying to the airport, linking it to a handful of destinations in South India.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/atai52.htm | title=Official Airline Guide | work=Air Transport Association of India | date=July 1952 | accessdate=4 July 2021 | volume=2 | issue=9}}</ref> The national government then combined all domestic carriers into a single company called [[Indian Airlines]], which was offering nonstop service from Bangalore to six cities by 1970.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ic70/ic70-01.jpg | title=Summer Schedules and Tariff, Effective 15th June 1970 | publisher=Indian Airlines | accessdate=4 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080811044021/https://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/complete/ic70/ic70-01.jpg | archivedate=11 August 2008}}</ref> Regional airline [[Vayudoot]] had joined Indian Airlines by the late 1980s, operating flights within [[Karnataka]] as well as to neighbouring [[Tamil Nadu]]. Meanwhile, Indian Airlines' network from Bangalore had expanded to 13 destinations, from [[Delhi]] in the north to Trivandrum in the south.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.departedflights.com/BLR89intro.html | title=Airlines and Aircraft Serving Bangalore Effective January 15, 1989 | work=Official Airline Guide: Worldwide Edition | accessdate=4 July 2021 | archivedate=4 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210704224418/http://www.departedflights.com/BLR89intro.html}}</ref>

During the 1990s, the number of passengers the airport was handling began to rise at a quick rate. While 1,000 travellers were passing through the terminal daily in 1991, more than six times that number were doing so by 1997.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19970131-wranglings-between-the-centre-and-karnataka-puts-proposed-devanahalli-airport-in-limbo-831751-1997-01-31 | title=Wranglings between the Centre and Karnataka puts proposed Devanahalli airport in limbo | work=India Today | date=31 January 1997 | accessdate=4 July 2021 | author=David, Stephen | archivedate=25 December 2019 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225140400/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19970131-wranglings-between-the-centre-and-karnataka-puts-proposed-devanahalli-airport-in-limbo-831751-1997-01-31}}</ref> Additionally, Air India delivered Bangalore its first international destination, [[Singapore]], in January 1995.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/history.php | title=History of Bengaluru Customs Zone | publisher=Bengaluru Customs Commissionerate | accessdate=4 July 2021 | archivedate=9 August 2018 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809081907/https://bangalorecustoms.gov.in/history.php}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=czdWAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA19-PA7#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=Bangalore-Singapore Flight Inaugurated | work=India News | date=1-15 January 1995 | agency=Press Trust of India | accessdate=4 July 2021 | volume=34 | number=1}}</ref> The [[Airports Authority of India]] (AAI) started enhancing the airport's facilities toward the end of the decade, constructing an [[instrument landing system]] for the runway and another terminal.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cbZ-fuq_RUkC&pg=PA439&lpg=PA439#v=onepage&q&f=false | title=A Textbook of Transportation Engineering | publisher=S. Chand and Company Limited | author=Chandola, S. P. | year=2001 | isbn=978-81-219-2072-8 | page=439}}</ref> The arrivals section of the two-storey building could serve 700 domestic and 300 international passengers at a time, while the departures area had a capacity for 300 international travellers. At the inauguration ceremony in January 1999, then Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] associated Bangalore's rising global stature and bustling economy with the need for the new terminal. At the same time, he observed that the city's accelerated pace of growth meant that the expansion would only help in the short-term, so government leaders needed to press forward with plans to build a new airport.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/primeministerata01unse/page/170/mode/2up | title=Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee Selected Speeches | publisher=Publications Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India | volume=1 | chapter=Corporatization necessary to develop country's airports | pages=170-172 | date=1 January 1999}}</ref>

The year 2000 saw the Bangalore airport land its first foreign carrier, [[Royal Nepal Airlines]], which initiated a route to [[Kathmandu]].<ref>{{cite news | url=http://archive.nepalitimes.com/news.php?id=8141 | title=RNAC to Bangalore | work=Nepali Times | date=3-9 November 2000 | accessdate=5 July 2021 | number=15 | archivedate=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref name="source6">{{cite news | url=http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/12/preparing-for-take-off.html | title=Preparing for take-off | work=The Hindu Business Line | date=24 December 2005 | accessdate=5 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060104042457/http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2005/12/preparing-for-take-off.html | archivedate=4 January 2006}}</ref> One year later, a [[Lufthansa]] Airbus A340 touched down from [[Frankfurt]], Germany, signalling the first time the South Indian metropolis had a direct link to Europe.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/lufthansa-refuses-to-give-a-i-a-lift/articleshow/2112972766.cms | title=Lufthansa refuses to give A-I a lift | work=The Times of India | date=3 September 2001 | agency=Times News Network | accessdate=5 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705170807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/lufthansa-refuses-to-give-a-i-a-lift/articleshow/2112972766.cms | archivedate=5 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/04/stories/06040009.htm | title=Lufthansa services from Bangalore | work=The Hindu | date=3 September 2001 | accessdate=5 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041106053548/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/04/stories/06040009.htm | archivedate=6 November 2004}}</ref>

Civilian traffic continued to increase as the decade progressed. [[Air Deccan]] established its first base at the HAL airport upon starting operations in 2003.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-deccan-to-launch-low-cost-service-on-monday/articleshow/144832.cms | title=Air Deccan to launch low-cost service on Monday | work=The Times of India | date=24 August 2003 | agency=Times News Network | accessdate=6 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706224248/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/air-deccan-to-launch-low-cost-service-on-monday/articleshow/144832.cms | archivedate=6 July 2021}}</ref> Two years later, Bangalore ranked third on the list of the busiest airports in India with respect to domestic operations, and more international travellers were arriving as well.<ref name="source6"/> Carriers like [[British Airways]] and [[Air France]], which began service to the city in the same week, contributed to this growth.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/air-france-to-fly-daily-from-indian-it-hub-bangalore-to-paris-621 | title=Air France to fly daily from Indian IT hub Bangalore to Paris | work=CAPA - Centre for Aviation | date=18 December 2005 | agency=XFNews | accessdate=6 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706224943if_/https://centreforaviation.com/analysis/reports/air-france-to-fly-daily-from-indian-it-hub-bangalore-to-paris-621 | archivedate=6 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.rediff.com/money/2005/oct/31ba.htm | title=British Airways flies London-Bangalore | work=Rediff | date=31 October 2005 | accessdate=6 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210706225612/https://www.rediff.com/money/2005/oct/31ba.htm | archivedate=6 July 2021}}</ref> Meanwhile, the signing of a [[concession agreement]] by the state and national governments and a private company called Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) enabled construction to start on another much larger airport, situated 30 km from the downtown area of the city in the suburb of [[Devanahalli]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2004-07-05/news/27387667_1_aviation-sector-greenfield-airports-civil-aviation |title=Pact for Bangalore airport signed |access-date=4 October 2015 |date=5 July 2004 |website=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bial-first-private-sector-led-international-airport-project-in-india/1/195866.html |title=On the runway: Bangalore International Airport to be India's first private sector-led project |access-date=4 October 2015 |last=David |first=Stephen |date=29 July 2004 |website=India Today |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730095726/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/nation/story/20040719-bial-first-private-sector-led-international-airport-project-in-india-789829-2004-07-19 |archivedate=30 July 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/taking-wing/281921/2 | title=Taking wing | work=Indian Express | date=8 March 2008 | accessdate=6 July 2021}}</ref> The contract barred commercial flights from operating at the HAL airport for 25 years after the new airport opened, as BIAL and the Karnataka government believed that keeping both airports open would hamper the new facility's profitability.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/its-get-set-fly-for-airport/articleshow/741481.cms | title=It's get, set, fly for airport | work=The Times of India | date=16 June 2004 | agency=Times News Network | accessdate=6 July 2021 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707001056/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/its-get-set-fly-for-airport/articleshow/741481.cms | archivedate=7 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/bengaluru-could-get-a-second-airport-in-no-time-but-after-these-hurdles-are-removed/517156/ | title=Bengaluru could get a second airport in no time. But after these hurdles are removed | work=The Print | date=6 October 2020 | accessdate=6 July 2021 | author=Swamy, Rohini}}</ref>

When comparing January 2006 to the same month one year prior, domestic and international passenger counts had gone up roughly 48% and 29%, respectively. Airport officials eventually had to request airlines not to introduce flights during the busiest hours.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2006/04/more-is-not-merrier-for-airport.html | title=The more is not the merrier for airport | work=Deccan Herald | date=18 April 2006 | accessdate=6 July 2021}}</ref> In 2006, HAL complained that the airport's booming civilian operations were hindering the company's activities, which ranged from flying sorties to evaluating aircraft prototypes. At that time, passenger numbers exceeded by more than two-fold the terminals' capacity of 3.5 million travellers per year.<ref name="oneindia06">{{cite news | url=https://www.oneindia.com/2006/04/28/military-flights-hit-by-commercial-traffic-at-hal-airport-1146233228.html | title=Military flights hit by commercial traffic at HAL airport | work=Oneindia | date=28 April 2006 | agency=United News of India | accessdate=6 July 2021}}</ref>

The AAI responded to the problem with various infrastructure upgrades. For instance, it collaborated with HAL to construct additional parking stands.<ref name="oneindia06"/> By late 2006, the airports authority had finished enlarging the two terminals, thereby raising the annual passenger capacity by 800,000.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://bangalorebuzz.blogspot.com/2006/01/airport-terminal-expansion-may-take.html | title=Airport terminal expansion may take some more time | work=Vijay Times News | date=30 January 2006 | accessdate=6 July 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://eparlib.nic.in/bitstream/123456789/785536/1/lsd_14_09_23-11-2006.pdf | title=Lok Sabha Debates (English Version): Ninth Session (Fourteenth Lok Sabha) | work=[[Lok Sabha]] | date=23 November 2006 | accessdate=6 July 2021 | volume=23 | number=2 | page=296}}</ref> The statistics continued to climb in the meantime, with over 10.5 million people passing through the HAL airport in the 2007-2008 fiscal year.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://m.rediff.com/money/2008/mar/06airport.htm | title=Bangalore airport to see huge passenger traffic | work=Business Standard | date=6 March 2008 | accessdate=6 July 2021}}</ref>

===Transfer of civilian operations===
The new airport, named [[Kempegowda International Airport|Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru]] (KIAB), opened on 24 May 2008. Per the Government's decision that no two commercial airports could exist within a 150 km (93 mi) radius, all passenger and revenue cargo flights were transferred from HAL Airport to KIAB.

Since then, there have been several attempts to reinstate commercial air service at HAL Airport. Shortly before BIAL's opening, 20,000 employees of the [[Airports Authority of India]] went on strike against the closure of HAL Airport and [[Begumpet Airport]] in Hyderabad.<ref>[http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/india/slow-take-off-for-airport-stir-1.91196 Slow take-off for airport stir] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105007/http://gulfnews.com/news/asia/india/slow-take-off-for-airport-stir-1.91196 |date=4 March 2016 }}. Indo-Asian News Service via Gulf News. 13 March 2008. Retrieved 10 November 2015.</ref> In January 2015, Defence Minister [[Manohar Parrikar]] appealed to the [[Pusapati Ashok Gajapati Raju|Civil Aviation Minister]] to reopen HAL Airport, citing its loss of revenue and its convenient location within Bangalore.<ref>Ajmer, Singh (16 January 2015). [http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-01-16/news/58149839_1_kempegowda-international-airport-hal-airport-new-airport Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar wants Bengaluru’s shut-down HAL airport reopened]. The Economic Times. Retrieved 19 November 2015.</ref> However, the Indian Government has repeatedly denied these requests in accordance with its 150 km policy.

The airport however remains operational round the clock (H24 ATC watch hours) due to non-scheduled, military cargo/logistics, and VIP aircraft movements and as a diversion alternative to [[Kempegowda International Airport]] in case of emergencies.

== Facilities ==
'''Runways'''

HAL Airport has one main [[runway]],

* Runway 09/27: 3,307 by 60 metres (10,850 ft x 200 ft) [[Instrument landing system|CAT I]], [[Instrument landing system|ILS]] equipped

This is the principal runway at the airport. It can cater to any type of aircraft including Code-F aircraft like the [[Airbus A380]] and the [[Boeing 747]]. There are 4 entry/exit [[taxiway]]s, 2 on the east side named E2 (perimeter) and E1. Similarly there are 2 taxiways on the west side - W2 (perimeter) and W1. In addition, there are six [[airport apron|aprons]].

=== Closed structures ===
The passenger terminal is located on the north side of the airport. It contains two [[jetway]]s and separate sections for domestic and international flights. Despite the rise in passenger traffic, there was no room to expand the terminal, and the apron in front of it could only park six aircraft.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160403153630/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/10/31/stories/2005103117400400.htm "Hard times ahead for city airport authorities"]. ''The Hindu''. 31 October 2005. Retrieved 9 March 2016.</ref> This terminal has now been converted into an executive terminal with lounges and facilities for business and VIP aviation.

== Incidents and accidents ==
* 14 February 1990, [[Indian Airlines Flight 605]], an [[Airbus A320 family|Airbus A320]], crashed on [[Final approach (aviation)|final approach]] with 92 fatalities.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19900214-2&lang=en Flight 605] at the [[Aviation Safety Network]]</ref>
* 28 December 1996, a [[Blue Dart Aviation]] [[Boeing 737]] made a heavy, off-center landing causing damage to the aircraft and runway.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=19961228-0&lang=en Incident report] at the Aviation Safety Network</ref>
* 12 February 2004, a [[helicopter]] being used by the HAL Rotary Wing Academy crashed, injuring both occupants.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021309720400.htm |title=Chopper crash-lands at HAL Airport |access-date=21 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228183803/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/02/13/stories/2004021309720400.htm |archive-date=28 December 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* 26 October 2005, an Indian Air Force [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21|MiG-21]] crashed killing the pilot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/27/stories/2005102706011200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228185833/http://www.hindu.com/2005/10/27/stories/2005102706011200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-12-28 |title=Pilot killed as MiG crashed in Bangalore |date=2005-10-27 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=2018-10-20}}</ref>
* 11 March 2006, a [[Deccan (airline)|Deccan]] [[ATR 72]], with 40 passengers and 4 crew made a heavy landing. There were no major injuries but the aircraft was written off.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060311-0&lang=en Incident report] at the Aviation Safety Network</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/12/stories/2006031202600300.htm |title=Air Deccan aircraft skids off runway |access-date=29 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907000658/http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/12/stories/2006031202600300.htm |archive-date=7 September 2008 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
* 4 May 2006, a [[Transmile Air Services]] [[Boeing 727|727-2F2F]] suffered damage to the left wing fuel tank.<ref>[http://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20060504-0&lang=en Incident report] at the Aviation Safety Network</ref>
* 21 August 2006, a [[HAL Kiran|Kiran Mark II]] trainer aircraft crashed after the wheels failed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/plane-crashlands-at-bangalore-airport/19216-3.html |title=Plane crash-lands at Bangalore Airport |publisher=Ibnlive.com |access-date=2018-10-20}}</ref>
* 6 June 2007, [[SriLankan Airlines|Sri Lankan Cargo]] [[Antonov An-12]] lost engine power on runway.<ref>{{cite web|author=Karnataka |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/15/stories/2007061554200500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070917191225/http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/15/stories/2007061554200500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-17 |work=[[The Hindu]] |title=Air traffic disrupted as cargo aircraft gets stuck on runway |access-date=2018-10-20}}</ref>
* 6 March 2009, A [[NAL Saras]] aircraft prototype that had taken off from HAL Airport crashed in a field near Bidadi, killing the three man crew of test pilots.<ref>Kaminski-Morrow, David (30 April 2010). [https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/crashed-saras-lost-stability-during-re-light-test-341255/ Crashed Saras lost stability during re-light test]. Flightglobal. Retrieved 25 November 2015.</ref>
*1 February 2019, An Indian Air Force [[Dassault Mirage 2000|Mirage 2000]] modified by [[Hindustan Aeronautics Limited|HAL]] on an acceptance flight crashed 500 meters outside the airport perimeter wall after an unsuccessful touch and go on runway 09, both pilots ejected but landed on burning wreckage and died<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/iaf-mirage-aircraft-crashes-at-hal-airport-bengaluru/article26147781.ece|title=Two pilots killed as Mirage aircraft crashes during take-off at Bengaluru HAL airport|last=Rao|first=Mohit M.|date=2019-02-01|work=The Hindu|access-date=2020-01-06|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[Kempegowda International Airport]]
*[[Begumpet Airport]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|HAL Bangalore International Airport}}
* {{WAD|VOBG}}
* {{ASN|BLR}}

<br />
{{Hindustan Aeronautics Limited}}{{Bangalore topics}}
{{Airports in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hal Airport}}
[[Category:Airports in India]]
[[Category:Airports established in 1940]]
[[Category:Airports disestablished in 2008]]
[[Category:1940 establishments in India]]
[[Category:2008 disestablishments in India]]
[[Category:Airports in Karnataka]]
[[Category:Airports in Bangalore]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bangalore]]