Bengaluru Airport, officially named Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), has reached a significant milestone as India’s third-busiest international airport. It surpassed Chennai’s Anna International Airport and Kochi’s Cochin International Airport in October 2024.
KIA Surpasses Chennai and Kochi in October Passenger Traffic
Bengaluru’s KIA registered 4.8 lakh international passengers in October, showing a remarkable 24.3% increase compared to October 2023’s 3.9 lakh, as per AAI. The growth helped Bengaluru secure third place in October, moving ahead of Chennai (4.5 lakh) and Kochi (4.1 lakh). Bengaluru’s improvement from its fifth-place ranking in September 2024, with 4.39 lakh passengers, highlights its growth, as Delhi and Mumbai retained their top spots at 17.5 lakh and 12.5 lakh passengers, respectively.
Strong Domestic and Overall Performance
Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport held its ground in October with 30.8 lakh domestic passengers, trailing Delhi and Mumbai. KIA’s combined domestic and international passenger count of 35.7 lakh ensures its spot as India’s third-busiest airport.
KIA Expands Connections to 29 International Destinations
The growth of KIA is driven by its increasing number of connections. It now links to 29 international destinations through 34 airlines. Recent milestones include:
- December 16 will see IndiGo launching direct routes to Mauritius and daily operations to Langkawi, Malaysia.
- Akasa Air’s upcoming direct flights to Abu Dhabi.
Modern infrastructure plays a pivotal role. Terminal 2, opened last year, enhances passenger experience, while the second runway (09R/27L), commissioned in October 2018 and completed in December 2019, ensures smoother operations. The parallel runway system gives KIA a competitive edge over Chennai and Kochi.
Bengaluru Plans Second Airport to Meet Rising Demand
As air travel in Bengaluru expands, initiatives are in motion to ensure the city can meet the growing needs. The HAL Airport master plan envisions reopening for civilian operations after its exclusivity agreement with KIA expires in May 2033. By 2047, HAL Airport will handle up to 40 lakh passengers annually, managing about 2,500 passengers during peak hours.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka government has proposed a second airport for Bengaluru to handle rising footfalls and future demand.
KIA’s Unmatched Connectivity
Bengaluru Airport has earned a reputation for providing seamless connections across international destinations. Its strategic position as a gateway for USA-India travel reflects its significance in the global aviation network. Passengers continue to choose Bengaluru Airport for its convenience and top-tier services.
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