HAL airport was acquired by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited in 1964 and was mainly used for flying and testing for defence purposes.

In the Year 1980 it was decided to expand the airport facilities for Domestic Commercial Flights which quickly proved very popular and it started handling huge domestic traffic with the help of independent HAL ATC team, it is noteworthy to mention it here that HAL airport is the only airport in the country which is used for both military test flying and commercial traffic.

In the late 1990’s, the airport began providing its very first international services and became known as “Bangalore HAL International Airport” in 1997. Ever since the airport had been established it has undergone many expansions and upgrades to keep up with the rising air traffic in the city. While the rated capacity of the airport was 3.6 million passengers per year it was last operating at a super saturated level of 10.2 million passengers per year in 2008.

Presently HAL airport spreads over 700 acres of land and is equipped with latest state of art of technology and has got following features:

Presently HAL airport spreads over 700 acres of land and is equipped with latest state of art of technology and has got following features:

• Longest runway which is 3.3 km and capable of handling aircrafts like 747 class. 
• The airport is equipped with Instrument Landing System, Precision approach radar, aero bridges, Air Traffic Control Tower etc.
• It has 02 helipads ,06 aprons and 30 bays and one main taxi ways and 4 link taxiways.
• Facility of VIP lounge and VIP bay.
• It operates 24 x 7.
• It has Cargo handling facility of 97000 sq ft.
• Independent Air Traffic services being provided by HAL. Separate air space
• Facilities for ground handling and X-ray Baggage checking.

When it was closed for commercial operations in 2008 it was handling 10.2M passengers and 360 movements per day. After shifting of commercial traffic in 2008 all the commercial operations at HAL were stopped. Presently it supports not only test flying of military aircrafts but also supports test flying and experimental flying and future prototype programs of national importance pertaining to various government agencies like ADA, ASTE of Indian Airforce, NAL, and CABS and operating at 50 movements/day and navigation of 100 overflying   aircrafts.
 
 
HAL airport Bangalore, owned by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited spreads over 700 acres of land and operational since 1964. Mainly used for test flying of the Design & Development, Manufactured or Overhauled aircraft by HAL for more than 6 decades.

In the Year 1980, it was decided to expand the airport facilities for Domestic Commercial Flights which quickly proved very popular and it started handling huge domestic traffic with the help of independent HAL Air Traffic Control team. It is noteworthy to mention here that HAL airport is the only airport in the country which is used for both prototype and developmental test flying and civil traffic.
 
In the late 1990’s, the airport began providing its very first international service and became known as “Bangalore International Airport”. Ever since the airport had been established, it has undergone many expansions and upgrades to keep up with the rising air traffic in the city. HAL airport was handling Domestic and International flights up to 360 Aircraft Movements per day till May 2008 at a super saturated level of 10.2 million passengers per year.
 
However, HAL airport was closed for commercial operations vide executive order dated May 16, 2008 as per the Concession Agreement executed between Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) and the private airport operator, Bangalore International Airport Limited.
 
Presently, HAL airport and airspace is being used by approx. 80 flights ex-airport including test flying of military flights and non-scheduled flights and 300 transit flights (civil & military) in airspace per day. Additionally, it supports Projects of National Importance by defence organizations like ASTE-IAF, NFTC-ADA, NAL, DRDO-CABS, LRDE etc. VVIP flights including Heads of States, general aviation and international transit flights also regularly operate out of HAL Airport.

HAL airport spreads over 700 acres of land and is equipped with latest state of the art of technology and has the following features:

Long runway of 3.3 km capable of handling aircraft like Boeing 747. 

• ICAO Code:VOBG
• Runway: 09-27; 10,850 ft x 200 ft / 3306 Mtrs x 61 Mtrs

02 helipads, 06 aprons & 30 bays and one main taxi way & 4 link taxiways.    

The airport is equipped with  

• ILS CAT I (Runway 27)
• DVOR & DME
• ASR & MSSR Surveillance Radars
• Precision Approach Radar (PAR)
• Simple Approach Lights (Runway 09 & 27)
• PAPI (Runway 09 & 27)

Facility of VIP lounge and VIP bay.            

Operational 24 x 7.

Independent Air Traffic Services by HAL

Meteorological Services

Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF)

• Category 7 (Upgradeable to Category 8)ICAO Code

Ground Handling (HAL-AIASL-JWG)

HAL Cargo Complex

• Import Warehouse facility of 37000 sq ft
• Export Warehouse facility of 45000 sq ft
• Bonded warehouse facility of 15000 Sq Ft

Civil Aircraft Maintenance Hangar facility of 25830 Sq Ft
 

The growing importance of Bengaluru as a commercial hub and hi-tech development centre has made it a popular destination among air transport operators from across the globe. Building upon HAL’s rich experience in aviation engineering, manufacture and maintenance of aircraft and allied equipment, it was decided to diversify into the new area of activity to tap the opportunities in the field of civil aviation sector. 

As a result, a strategic alliance was forged to setup AIRPORT SERVICES CENTRE in the year June 2000 with the following functional areas to fulfill the different needs of the airport and airline operations:

• Aerodrome Operations – Air Traffic Services, ARFF facility, Radars
• Aircraft Ground Handling – Ramp facility, Refuelling, FBO
• HAL Cargo Operations – Container Freight Station, Warehouse,
• Civil Aircraft MRO – Aircraft maintenance hangar, Engine Ground Run facility.
• Issue of NOC for High Rise Buildings around the airport

The main objective of Aerodrome Operations department is providing the air traffic services and maintain the airspace from ground level to unlimited height for seamless test flying of military and commercial aircraft as per the regulatory norms (DGCA/ICAO). The major activities are provision of Air Traffic Control Service in Tower, approach and area control services under procedural & Radar, maintenance of the Airfield, RADAR (PAR/MSSR/ATM), Electrical, Aircraft Arrester Barrier System, RFF and issuance of NOC for high-rise building.

• The Runway at HAL Airport, Bengaluru was commissioned in January 1960 and resurfacing of the existing Runway was carried out recently in 2013.   
• The physical characteristics and dimensions permit the safe operation of all types of aircraft including all fighter and transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force, heavy commercial air transport including B-747 (400), AN-124 and helicopters
• Runway length of 10850 ft and width of 200 ft with PCN of 60/F/A/X/T
• 6 Aprons, 30 Parking Bays, 2 Helipads
• Airfield Lighting including runway, taxiway, apron, approach lights and PAPI available to facilitate night operations
• Air Traffic Services is being provided 24 x 7 with all associated services for arrival, departure, over flying and test & training flying of all kinds of aircraft
• HAL Airport is equipped with navigational facilities viz. DVOR, DME and ILS
• State of the art Monopulse Secondary Surveillance Radar covers a range of 200 Nm
• Adequate Aircraft Rescue & Fire Fighting (ARFF) service
• Meteorological Services for Aviation is available on all days
• Air Traffic Controllers skilled to handle mixed traffic of military, test flying prototype & developmental and civil  aircraft
• Facilitates from slow speed microlight to supersonic aircraft
• Airspace from ground level to unlimited height available for seamless test  flying of military and civil aircraft
• Approach Control Service is provided to the satellite airfields viz. Salem, Hosur, Mysore, Jakkur, Yelahanka and Bengaluru International
• Area Control Services is provided to all the civil and military flights over flying HAL Airspace
• Training flights of all major scheduled airlines are being conducted

All kinds of sector flying, test flying, demonstration flying, familiarization flying, etc available to all operators from dusk to dawn on all days and full day on Sundays and HAL holidays.
 

HAL and Air India Airport Services Limited - Joint Working Group (JWG) is providing Comprehensive Ground Handling Services round the clock to General Aviation, VVIP & transit flights at HAL Airport, Bengaluru.

JWG possesses complete set of Ground Handling Equipment for various types of aircraft up to B747 and AN-124 class of aircraft.

JWG has performed several shortest turnaround times for all kinds of aircraft and has earned high order of appreciation for meticulous ramp handling include the following:

• Chocks & Fire Bottle
• Ground Power Unit
• Water Cart Service
• Toilet Cart Service
• Conveyor Belt and Step Ladders
• Trolleys & Dollies

Executive Vehicle for Movement of Passengers & Crew

HAL Cargo Complex is a full-fledged Container Freight Station (CFS) notified by the Commissioner of Customs for receiving / storing / consolidating / stuffing / examination and clearance of LCL / FCL import / export containers of sea cargo for dispatching through gateway ports.

• Operational 24 X 7
• Dedicated Customs official for Customs documentation
• Online data processing and documentation for speedier clearances
• Covered Import warehouse space -  45,000 sq. ft. and Export Warehouse space - 37,000 sq. ft
• Availability of Bonded warehouse of around 15000 sq. ft
• CCTV for security surveillance
• Adequate handling equipment such as Reach Stacker, forklifts, trolleys, hand pallets, weigh bridge and lazy dollies
• Multi stacking facilities for small parcels
• Strong room for keeping valuable/precious cargo
• Cold room facility for perishables
• Plug in facility for Refrigerated trucks
• Adequate paved area for storing about 300 containers

The Indian Civil Aviation market is expected to become the 3^rd largest civil aviation market in the world. A booming economy, favorable policies of the government for stimulating growth, vision of the government to improve regional connectivity and to provide cheap and affordable air travel will contribute to the unabated growth in this sector. The increase in passenger growth will automatically translate into a requirement of more number and types of aircraft.

HAL has been providing support for civil aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul for more than two decades. The Civil Aircraft Maintenance Department provides following infrastructure and equipment requirements for services such as aircraft maintenance, modifications, and repairs to domestic airlines at competitive costs. The maintenance efforts are also supported by state of the art production and test facilities available in various engine/aircraft manufacturing/overhaul divisions.

•    Hangar infrastructure

• Spacious hangar of size 200 X 123 Ft. for B737 & ATR 72 aircraft
• Tarmac area of 100000 Square Feet
• GHE/GSE Equipment and Tools
• Composite repair facilities
• Aircraft painting facilities

•    Engineering Support at Plants annexed to Airport

• Non Destructive Test (NDT) facilities
• Composite shops, Sheet metal shops & Tool room and machine shops
• Welding & heat treatment shops and Process shops
• Availability of certifications from regulatory authorities

•    Aerodrome Operations Support:

• Engine High Power Testing is being facilitated at any time on all days for B737 variant and ATR-42/72 class of aircraft
• Flight Test is being accommodated in the sectors of HAL airspace on all days