Why is Bengaluru Getting A Second Airport? AAI Begins Surveys For New Locations In Bangalore

Bengaluru News: The existing airport in Bangalore is almost going to touch the capacity, so the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has begun looking for multiple potential sites for the construction of a second Bengaluru airport. Kempegowda International Airport is fast approaching its capacity limits, so the need of the hour is that a second airport has become necessary to support Bengaluru's growing air traffic and infrastructure demands.

Kempegowda International Airport, located near Devanahalli, has been operational since 2008 and currently handles millions of passengers annually. It is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public limited company. The airport comprises two terminals: Terminal 1, which manages domestic flights, has a passenger handling capacity of 35 million per annum, while Terminal 2, which began operations in 2023 for international flights, can accommodate up to 25 million passengers annually.

However, due to the exponential growth of air travel in Bengaluru, experts believe the airport will hit maximum capacity well before 2033. This is the main reason why this AAI is taking proactive steps for the construction of a second airport in Bengaluru.

AAI Team Inspects Sites for Second Bengaluru Airport

The AAI site inspection began on April 7, with officials visiting potential sites along Kanakapura Road and the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road. This is a three-day study where the officials are determining the appropriate location depending on land availability and accessibility.

The potential sites under review as per major reports are the Kanakapura Road airport site and the Nelamangala-Kunigal airport site, each covering more than 4,500 acres, making them suitable for the construction of a world-class second airport in Bangalore.

Karnataka Government Approves Funds for Proper Study

The Sidhharamaih-led Karnataka government has allocated Rs 1.2 crore to AAI to conduct a detailed feasibility study. The move signals the administration's urgency in expanding aviation infrastructure amid rising demand in the Bangalore airport sector.

MB Patil, Karnataka's Minister for Industries and Infrastructure Development, emphasised the project's importance, saying, "With the 150-km airport restriction set to expire by 2033, we are accelerating the process."
He posted on his Twitter handle saying, "

A high-level team from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted an inspection today of two locations identified along Kanakapura Road for Bengaluru's proposed second international airport. These are among the three sites shortlisted by the state government.

Following the inspection, the AAI team met with me for a detailed discussion. During the meeting, I explained the necessity of a second airport for Bengaluru, including the growing number of passengers and industry demands. A presentation was made to the team.

The AAI team is scheduled to inspect the third proposed site along the Nelamangala-Kunigal Road tomorrow. Once the inspections are complete and AAI's recommendations are received, further decisions will be made accordingly."