Renewed push for reopening Bengaluru’s HAL Airport for commercial flights
Bengaluru: A high level stakeholders' meeting was held on April 15 in New Delhi to discuss restarting commercial operations at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport in Bengaluru. The meeting was convened in the light of increasing air traffic congestion and long travel times to the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), revolved around obtaining regulatory approvals and operational frameworks.
The HAL Airport which was the city's major air traffic hub up to 2008, was closed to civilian flights after the opening of KIA. Since then, it has continued to operate for military, VVIP, and private charter services. With two-hour road travel to KIA on many occasions because of bottlenecks at the Hebbal interchange and the Metro link being over two years from completion, there is renewed focus on strategic benefits of reviving the centrally located HAL plant.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya, who is pushing for its revival, has confirmed that both Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) have shown interest, though their stands are different. AAI is said to be keen to handle operations itself, whereas BIAL has cited a no-compete clause in its concession arrangement. With this difference unresolved, the Civil Aviation Secretary has asked for further consultations to work out possible arrangements.
The airport infrastructure remains largely intact with a runway, measuring 3,306 metres and equipped with a Category I Instrument Landing System, is capable of handling wide-body aircraft including Boeing 747s. In its last year of commercial service, HAL Airport had an annual passenger handling capacity of 10 million. Thirty parking bays, two helipads, and other support infrastructure continue to be in use for existing non-commercial flight operations.
Sources indicate that AAI has drawn up a master plan for reviving commercial services. This includes upgrades to the terminal building and provision for a multi-level parking facility for around 500 vehicles. However, a government notification issued in April 2024, formalising the extension of BIAL’s concession agreement till 2063, did not reference a clause discussed earlier that would have allowed BIAL to also operate HAL for limited civilian use.
Even so, HAL has reportedly remained in conversation with both the Union Government and BIAL to explore mutually agreeable terms under which the airport can resume partial commercial operations. A phased reopening, suggested by aviation analysts, is being considered. The proposal includes allowing select short-haul flights, especially during off-peak hours. This could include late-night flights to major metros and regional connections to destinations such as Hubballi. Former HAL spokesperson Gopal Sutar said that the airport could be made flight-ready within weeks, should the required approvals be issued.
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'Homebound' makes it to Oscar shortlist for best international feature
Mumbai (PTI): Neeraj Ghaywan's much acclaimed "Homebound" is among the 15 films shortlisted in the best international feature category at the Oscars, moving a step close to the final five nominations and maybe a win.
The movie, inspired by a true story that became the basis of a news article during the pandemic, has been creating a global buzz since its debut in the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival this May.
Hollywood legend Martin Scorsese is a fan and has come onboard as an executive producer ahead of the award season.
Produced by Karan Johar and Adar Poonawalla, and starring Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, "Homebound" is Ghaywan's second movie after "Masaan".
"Homebound" will compete for an Oscar nomination alongside Argentina's “Belén”, Brazil's “The Secret Agent”, French drama "It Was Just an Accident”, Germany's "Sound of Falling” and Iraq's "The President's Cake".
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The other movies in the shortlist include Japan's “Kokuho”, Jordan's “All That’s Left of You”, Norway's “Sentimental Value”, Palestine's “Palestine 36”, South Korean hit “No Other Choice”, Spain's “Sirat”, "Late Shift" from Switzerland, “Left-Handed Girl”from Taiwan and Tunisian drama “The Voice of Hind Rajab”, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced in a release on Tuesday.
The award for best foreign film, now re-categorised as best international feature, has so far eluded India.
Only three Indian films have received nominations in the category -- Mehmood Khan’s “Mother India”, Mira Nair’s “Salaam Bombay” and Ashutosh Gowarikar’s “Lagaan”. Deepa Mehta’s “Water”, starring John Abraham and Lisa Ray, also received a nomination but it was submitted from Canada.
Gujarati film "Chhello Show" in 2023 was the last film to get shortlisted.
Costume designer Bhanu Athaiya was the first Indian to get an Oscar, bagging the coveted prize in 1983 for the film "Gandhi". Other than her, A R Rahman, Resul Pukootty and M M Keeravani have also won individual Oscars.
Team "Homebound" celebrated the shortlist news with posts on social media.
"We made the shortlist... Way to go team Homebound'!" Johar shared in Instagram Stories.
In a post, the producer said it was difficult for him to articulate how "proud and elated" he was with the news.
"All of us @dharmamovies are privileged to have this proud and important film in our filmography... thank you @neeraj.ghaywan for making so many dreams of ours come true... from Cannes to being on the Oscar shortlist this has been such an overwhelming journey! Love to the entire cast and crew and teams of this special special film! Upwards and onwards...."
Ghaywan also shared the news on X.
"#Homebound has been shortlisted for Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards! We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary love and support we've received from around the world," he wrote on X with a special poster of the film.
Jethwa, who plays one of the two friends in the story opposite Ishaan Khatter, said the moment feels "surreal and incredibly humbling".
"To see 'Homebound' being shortlisted and progressing towards the Oscars is something I could have only dreamed of. I am deeply grateful for the love and support the film has received from audiences around the world," he said as he acknowledged Johar, Ghaywan and co-star Khatter and the rest of the team.
Khatter also shared the news on his Instagram stories and wrote, "Oscar ab dur nahi".
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"Homebound" is inspired by journalist Basharat Peer's The New York Times article “Taking Amrit Home”, also titled "A Friendship, a Pandemic and a Death Beside the Highway".
The film portrays the childhood friendship between a Muslim and Dalit who chase a police job that promises them the dignity they have long been denied due to their surnames.
The Academy on Tuesday also announced shortlists in 11 other categories, including the newly added casting Oscars, animated shorts, cinematography, documentary feature, documentary short, original score and song, sound and visual effects categories.
Nominations for the 98th Academy Awards will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
Twenty-four categories will be awarded at the 98th Oscars. Each category has five nominees, except for best picture, which has 10.
The 98th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
