Bangalore: Dream Realized - International Airport Takes Wing

Anil Kumar M/TNN
 
Bangalore, May 24: It was a dream come true. Bangaloreans, so used to a limited facility for even international flights, were awe-struck when they arrived at Bengaluru International Airport (BIA).

G Kasthuri, principal of the Oxford Nursing College, exclaimed: "It's a great facility. It's just perfect." Her words echoed the feelings of passengers of Air India Flight IC 609 from Mumbai that touched down at the new airport at 10.40 pm on Friday. Passengers of Air India Flight IC 957 that left for Singapore at 12.05 am had similar thoughts.

Vijay Gupta, who works for a Japanese company based in Singapore, was happy with the world-class feel of the airport's interiors. "I'm fortunate to land here on its opening day. I'll remember this all my life. Bangalore deserved an international-class airport, and we have it now."

Capt Sunil Vasista and co-pilot Capt Amit Sangwan, who flew in the first flight, said: "Air Traffic Control responded very well. Approach lighting on the runway is fantastic." The joy of the four IC 609 airhostesses — Mandgrilla, Zomuanpy, Tandra and Sneha — knew no bounds.

Pilot Ishwar Paul and co-pilot Gaurav Jaggi of Flight IC 957 to Singapore were elated over being part of history.

The event signalled the decisive shift in commercial operations from the HAL airport to the new, Rs 3,500-crore airport. An Air France jet from Paris was the first international flight to touch down at BIA.

As soon as the flight from Mumbai landed, there were handshakes and loud cheers from BIAL staff. Everybody who was part of the success story congratulated BIAL CEO Albert Brunner. An elated Brunner said: "It's a great moment for us. It's been a long journey... I have learnt a lot. One thing is to have patience."

BIAL authorities ensured that car and bus services to the city's central business district were hassle-free.

The commissioning of the airport, which was scheduled to take place on May 23 midnight, was put off by 24 hours on instructions of the Election Commission.