Fly from Bengaluru International Airport Ltd

After many a hiccup, delay and protest march, the much-talked-about Bengaluru International Airport Ltd (BIAL) opens its doors on 24 May. Henceforth, both domestic and international flights will operate from BIAL.

The airport building is spread across two floors. While the first floor houses check-in counters along with baggage reclaim, the second floor is home to domestic and international departure lounges, along with a range of leisure-related facilities. The arrival and departure areas are separated vertically with a simple, yet modern, “straight-ahead flow system”.

BIAL facilities

Shopping
The international lounge will have some of the best international brands in liquor, tobacco perfumes, cosmetics, and gift items. The domestic section, on the other hand, aims to lure the traveller with several retail outlets that include the departmental store Shoppers Stop, the bookshop Crossword, and a confectionary store amongst others.

Scoff and swill
The traveller will be spoilt for choice, when it comes to refreshments. Café Coffee Day, Barista, Illy Café, Pizza Hut, Kingfisher Sports Bar, and Taste of India will have their outlets here.

Stay
A swanky new hotel, a joint venture by The Oberoi and Larsen and Tourbo, opposite the main terminal building has been proposed, which is likely to start operation from 2009. Expect all five-star facilities that will include a lounge bar, restaurants, banquet room and a health spa.

Getting there
The question that is raging in the minds of most people nowadays, who are planning to fly out of BIAL, is how to reach the airport in the first place. The distance is daunting, and so is the paucity of information on how to cover it. Here are the options.

Airport shuttle service
BMTC aims to provide air-conditioned Vayu Vajra buses (Volvos) and non-air conditioned Suvarna buses (Ashok Leyland) every 15 minutes. The fare will range from Rs 80 to Rs 200, depending on the distance travelled, and the kind of bus opted for. There’ll be specific pick-up/drop points at various areas in the city.

Proposed bus routes
Electronics City to BIAL
HAL Airport to BIAL
Hebbal to BIAL
Jeevanbhimanagar to BIAL
JP Nagar 6th Phase to BIAL
Koramangala to BIAL
MCTC (Mysore Road) to BIAL

Taxis
Both pre-paid and post-paid taxis will be available. Hertz and Akbar Travels will provide pre-paid limousine and car rental services, while Meru and Easy Cab will offer the option of normal post-paid taxi services.

Self-drive
One can even self-drive to the airport or take a car from the airport and reach the destination. There’ll be convenient pick-up/drop points in the city. With a few conditions attached, this service is particularly helpful if someone is planning to visit a place in the outskirts of the city, or in neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh or Tamil Nadu. One has the option of depositing the car at airports in Hyderabad and Chennai as well.

Metro
The construction of a high-speed rail is currently underway to connect the airport to the city.

For further information you can log on to: http://www.bengaluruairport.com/

Here’s to hoping that the new airport is worth the wait and distance!