New team at BIAL to push development projects

Jul 29, 2017: Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) has inducted Marcel Hungerbuehler (former CEO of BIAL from Nov. 2008- Feb'11) and Hari Marar as new directors on the Board. Harsha Raghavan will take on the role of managing director at BIAL, while Marar will be executive director and president at BIAL. Reconstitution of the BIAL Board of Directors follows the acquisition of the residual 10 percent stake of GVK in BIAL by FIH Mauritius Investments, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fairfax India Holdings Corporation.

Speaking on the occasion Marar said, “Bengaluru airport continues to see fantastic growth in passenger volumes - more than 20 percent at the close of the FY 2017. The construction of the second runway and terminal, and other associated projects are now a priority. I look forward to working with the outstanding team at BIAL to take the airport – and its community – into a new phase of development that will continue to contribute to the economic prosperity of Karnataka.”

The board, under the stewardship of chairman Subhash Chandra Khuntia (IAS), Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka, will work towards the speedy implementation of crucial capacity-expansion projects, said BIAL in a press release. Hungerbuehler and Marar, both aviation experts, with a deep understanding and knowledge of airport operations and development, will spearhead the establishment of the Fairfax Centre of Aviation Excellence at BLR Airport, the release further said.