Netizens criticise BIAL for 'hasty' decision

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: The last-minute notification issued by the Bengaluru Airport authorities informing of the further delay in shifting of International operations seems to have sent the netizens into tizzy.

The international services were scheduled to begin on Thursday at 10:45 am.

However the Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) decided to postpone the commencement of international operations from the new Terminal-2 (T2) of the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here.

"The proposed shifting of International operations to Terminal 2 at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru on August 31, 2023, stands postponed," a BIAL spokesperson said in a statement to the media.

"After consulting all regulatory authorities, BIAL will release a firm date for transition of international operations," he added.

Revealing no specific reason for the decision, the airport authority said: "The last-minute decision was taken during the final preparedness review in order to provide an optimal and seamless transition for our passengers. International operations will continue to remain in Terminal 1 until further notice."

The T2 inaugurated in November last year by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to see over 30 daily international departure flights.

According to a previous BIAL statement, Singapore Airlines was supposed to be the first foreign carrier to start operations in T2, while IndiGo would be the first Indian carrier.

The decision was met with strong criticism by users on X, previously Twitter, who questioned the BIAL authorities for their "hasty" decision.

"Shouldn’t one announce the change once completely ready?" a user named C Parthasarathi posted on X.

"How can it be taken so lightly? Web check-ins done yesterday might show T2 for many travellers," he said.

Another user, Srikanth, posted, "Was this "Tamasha" required?

Any experienced senior person will know 2-3 days in advance whether work will complete or not. Postponement of private house shifting To airport operation Huge difference, surely BIAL knows this. Don't repeat this Tamasha in future." IndiGo, a low-cost Indian airline, issued an advisory soon after the decision by the BIAL.

“All scheduled domestic and international flights will arrive and depart from Terminal 1, Bengaluru,” the airline posted on X.