Aero Show 2017: Kempegowda International Airport reschedules flights February 18
Bengaluru: The Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) closed all its operations between 10 am and 12 noon and 2 pm to 5 pm on Tuesday because of the Aero India 2017. All the flights scheduled between these five hours were rescheduled. KIA officials said that starting Tuesday till February 18, no flight movements will take place between 10 am and 12 noon and between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Also, from February 19 till April 30, no flights will be operated at the airport between 10.30 am and 5 pm to carry out the expansion works.
KIA officials said that on Tuesday, no international flights were delayed due to the air show. “Morning flights were rescheduled to afternoon, while afternoon flights were rescheduled to evening. All the passengers were informed well in advance,” said an officer.
But some passengers, who were not aware of the rescheduling of the flights, were forced to wait at the airport. “I was not aware of this change. My flight was scheduled in the afternoon. But it was operated only around 6 pm,” said Mr Raghavendra Rao, a resident of K.R. Puram.
Alternative road eases traffic
On day one of Aero Show 2017, to the surprise of Bengalureans, Ballari Road did not witness traffic chaos. It was largely because of an alternative road going through Begur, connecting the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) that was thrown open to the public on Monday.
The traffic police said that the alternative road witnessed a large volume of traffic as everyone wanted to avoid the Ballari Road fearing traffic jams because of the air show. “It was preferred by cab drivers too as there are no toll plazas on this road,” explained a traffic policeman, who was posted near Hennur Cross.
Passengers, however, complained that as compared to Ballari Road, safety is a major concern on the newly developed road. Mr Raghavendra Rao, a techie from K.R. Puram, said that the road work is yet to be completed between Begur and the airport. “In many places it is a single-lane road, though the PWD has claimed that it is a six-lane. The stretch is not completely lit and it can be dangerous at night,” he said.
Stamping an error
On Tuesday, airport authorities launched an investigation into a complaint that boarding passes on February 13 were stamped with February 14 date.
A passenger, Mr Asim Beuria, alleged on Monday (Feb. 13) that CISF personnel put February 14 dated stamp on the boarding pass issued to his wife, who was travelling from Bengaluru to Goa. He had tagged his tweet to Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, and KIA officials have now launched the investigation.
