Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) already ranks as the country’s second‑largest airport by domestic traffic, and its leadership is confident it will claim the second spot overall within a few years. Ongoing infrastructure projects aim to boost capacity, cut tariffs, and cement Bengaluru’s position as a major aviation hub.

Key Takeaways

  • KIA is already the second‑largest airport in India based on domestic traffic.
  • Projected passenger volume of 72 million and cargo handling of 750,000 tonnes for the 2026‑2031 period.
  • Major projects like Terminal‑2 Phase 2, WCFT, and multi‑level car parks slated for completion by 2027 will drive capacity and tariff reductions.

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), commonly referred to as Bengaluru International Airport, currently sits as the third‑largest airport in India. However, BIAL’s Managing Director and CEO Hari Marar announced in a recent AERA stakeholder consultation that KIA is on track to become the nation’s second‑largest airport in overall traffic within the next two years.

Current standing and statistics

The minutes of the stakeholder meeting confirm that KIA has already secured the second position in domestic passenger traffic, trailing only Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The airport now connects 32 international and 80 domestic destinations through 39 airline partners, including 16 freighter operators.

Future projections and economic impact

Marar outlined that for the fourth control period (April 1 2026 – March 31 2031), KIA expects to handle roughly 72 million passengers and move about 750,000 tonnes of cargo. Such growth will not only strengthen Bengaluru’s role as a regional gateway but also contribute substantially to India’s broader aerospace economy.

Ongoing flagship projects

The airport’s capital‑expenditure programme lists over 30 projects, notably Terminal 2 Phase 2, the Western Cross‑Field Taxiway (WCFT), new apron stands, multi‑level car parks, and the Eastern Connectivity Tunnel. The WCFT is already about 50 % complete and is slated for full completion by March 31 2027. All airfield‑related works are expected to finish by December 31 2027, with the phased upgrade of Terminal 1 also wrapping up in 2027.

Tariff reforms

In the proposed Annual Tariff Plan, landing and parking charges are set to drop by 35‑40 % in the first year of the fourth control period, followed by gradual increases. The User Development Fee (UDF) will also be reduced, with subsequent adjustments tied to the commissioning of key assets such as the WCFT. These measures aim to keep air travel affordable while stimulating demand.

Strategic outlook

If the capex and tariff strategies are executed as planned, KIA could become a benchmark for other Indian airports, positioning Bengaluru not just as the South’s aviation hub but as a national logistics and economic catalyst.