Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore

Kempegowda International Airport is 50.4 km away from Prestige Eaton Park and is reachable via Varthur - Sarjapur Rd. It will take about 2 hours to reach the airport by bus and 1.5 hours by metro.

Kempegowda International Airport is the primary or main serving airport in Bangalore. It is located close to Devanahalli in the northern part of the city and spans over 4700 acres. The airport was built in 2008 and is now one of the most busiest airports in India.

BIA was opened as an alternative to the HAL Airport in order to increase passenger footfall. It was named after Kempe Gowda I and is the 1st solar-powered airport in Karnataka. It is 30 Km away from the city and has great connectivity through all modes of transit.

Bangalore Airport Ownership

KIAB is owned and operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). It is a public-private partnership (PPP) company.

Here’s the ownership structure:

• Fairfax India Holdings Corporation (via Fairfax Financial Group, Canada) – 54% stake (majority owner)
• Siemens Project Ventures GmbH (Germany) – 20% stake
• Airports Authority of India (AAI) – 13% stake
• Karnataka's State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (KSIIDC) – 13% stake

This structure means the Fairfax Group is the main owner and operator, while AAI and KSIIDC represent the Indian government and state government’s interests.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore Location Map

KIAB's map shows its address, terminals and routes to reach the site. The address of the airport is Kempegowda International Airport (BLR), location in Devanahalli, Bangalore. Its pincode is 560300. The site has 2 terminals, being home to several national and international flights.

KIAB Terminals

KIA has two passenger terminals managed by BIAL. Each terminal serves different purposes and provides unique passenger experiences.

Terminal 1 (T1)

T1 is the airport’s first terminal, and has been expanded many times to handle more passengers. It mainly serves domestic flights for major low-cost airlines like IndiGo and SpiceJet. The terminal can manage around 26.5 million passengers a year (MPPA). It is designed for smooth movement, helping passengers travel quickly with less waiting time.

Terminal 2 (T2)

T2, called the "Terminal in a Garden," opened in November 2022. It manages all international flights and some domestic ones, including Air India and Vistara. The terminal is famous worldwide for its eco-friendly and nature-themed design, with beautiful hanging gardens and waterfalls. After Phase 1, the airport’s total capacity increased to about 50 MPPA, and Phase 2 will raise it further to over 85 MPPA.

History of KIAB

HAL Airport was started in 1942 for military use. It began domestic flights in the 1970s and international flights in 1990, with Air India launching the first route to Singapore. In 2000, Nepal Airlines became the first foreign airline to operate from HAL, followed by an A340 flight a year later. As passenger numbers grew, the single runway at HAL could not handle the traffic. In 1991, a committee was set up to find a new airport location, and a site 30 km north of Bangalore was chosen. The plan was approved in 1994. Construction started in July 2005 and was completed in 32 months. The airport was meant to open in March 2008, but due to air traffic control delays, it officially opened on 24 May 2008.

KIAB - Name

The airport was first known as Bangalore International Airport. In 2009, there was a proposal to rename it after the city’s founder, but it was not approved then. Another proposal was passed in Dec 2011, accepted in 2012. It was finally approved in July 2013. In Dec 2013, it was officially renamed Kempegowda International Airport. The airport is well connected to the city through intercity buses, airport shuttles, car rentals, taxis, and app-based cabs. Passengers can have and enjoy free Wi-Fi for 45 minutes after logging in. Paid Wi-Fi plans are also available at low rates. However, only users with local numbers or roaming packs can access it, as OTP verification is required. The area around the airport is developing fast due to its strong transport links, growing business potential, and rising real estate demand. The airport has large hangars and maintenance centres to manage heavy air traffic.

Maintenance and Aeroplane Hangers

• Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO): KIA is becoming a major MRO hub with separate facilities run by various companies. IndiGo is building a big MRO centre for servicing its narrow-body and future wide-body aircraft. Air India also operates MRO facilities for its fleet.
• Cargo Village: The airport has a dedicated Cargo Village with three terminals that handle over 500,000 tonnes of cargo every year. By 2030, this capacity will increase to 1 million tonnes, making it one of South India’s top logistics hubs.

Future Plans

• T2 Phase 2 Expansion: BIAL, the airport operator, is starting Phase 2 of Terminal 2’s expansion.
• Goal: To increase the airport’s total capacity to over 85 million passengers per year.
• Timeline: Construction will likely begin by late 2025 or early 2026 and finish around 2028.
• Scope: The plan includes more floor space, new aircraft parking stands, and a walkway linking Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
• Long-Term Vision: The airport aims to handle 100 mn passengers and 1.5 million tonnes of cargo in the future. It also plans to build Terminal 3 (T3) and an Automated People Mover (APM) to connect all terminals.
• Metro Connectivity: The Namma Metro Yellow Line extension is under construction to link the airport directly to the city for faster and easier travel.

Main Highlights of Kempegowda Airport

• It started operations in 2008 and is named after the city’s founder.
• It is the 3rd most busiest airport in India, after Delhi and Mumbai.
• It ranks 29th among the busiest airports in Asia.
• It is Karnataka’s first airport fully powered by solar energy.
• The airport spreads across about 4,700 acres.
• It offers flight connections to all six continents and direct flights to five.