Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore
Kempegowda International Airport (Bangalore Airport) is the main airport serving Bengaluru, Karnataka's capital city. It began operations in May 2008 and has grown to become one of India’s largest & busiest airports. Bangalore airport has been named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru.
In 2025, KIA has reported a record profit for the first time since its inception in the financial year 2024-25. The airport surpassed the 41 million passenger mark, handling 41.88 million passengers in FY25, an 11.6% growth year-on-year.
Kempegowda International Airport is located in Devanahalli, in Bengaluru Rural district, Karnataka, India. Its postal code is 560300. The site covers about 16 square kilometres north of the city centre. It sits just off National Highway 44, near the village of Devanahalli.
Terminal 1 (often called T1) is a large building covering 150,556 square metres. It can handle about 35 million passengers each year. T1 serves all domestic flights today. Major airlines in T1 include IndiGo, Akasa Air, Alliance Air and SpiceJet.
- Check in desks and baggage claim are on the lower floor.
- Boarding gates are on both the lower and upper levels.
- There are 43 jet bridges and special bus gates for flights that park away from the terminal.
- T1 also has two lounges called the BLR Domestic Lounge and the 080 Lounge.
- These lounges offer snacks, drinks, charging points and seats inspired by Bengaluru’s 080 telephone code.
Terminal 2 (T2) opened to the public in January 2023. It was built in two phases at a cost of around ₹5,000 crore for the first phase. Phase 1 added 255,000 square metres of space and capacity for 25 million more passengers. Phase 2 will add capacity for another 20 million.
- T2 handles all international flights and some domestic flights by Air India, Air India Express and Star Air.
- The ground floor has nine baggage claim belts and immigration halls.
- The departures area is on the first floor, with 95 check in counters and 17 security lanes.
- Gates in T2 can serve the largest planes, such as the Airbus A380, Boeing 747 8, etc.
- The terminal’s inside walls show modern art, and the design follows a “terminal in a garden” theme.
Kempegowda International Airport uses the IATA code BLR and the ICAO code VOBL. This code helps passengers and airlines book tickets, track flights and manage baggage.
On maps, BLR is about 35 kilometres north of central Bengaluru. Its coordinates are 13.1989° N, 77.7056° E. The airport site lies just east of NH44 and is clearly marked on road atlases and GPS devices.
Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) owns and runs the airport under a 30 year concession from the Government of India. This concession may be renewed for another 30 years.
- Fairfax India Holdings holds the largest share at 54%.
- Siemens Project Ventures owns 20%.
- The Airports Authority of India owns 13%.
- The Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation owns 13%.
- Terminal 1: Domestic arrivals use the baggage belts on the lower floor.
- Terminal 2: International and select domestic arrivals use the ground floor. Here, passengers clear immigration and collect luggage before entering the arrivals hall. The hall has cafés, shops and a taxi drop off zone.
- Road: The airport links to Bengaluru via NH44. A six lane flyover on NH44, built in 2014, cuts travel time from Hebbal. Two alternative routes through Thanisandra or Budigere also connect the city.
- Shuttle: A free shuttle bus runs 24×7 between T1 and T2, which are about 600 metres apart. It departs every 10–15 minutes from marked kerbside zones.
- Buses: BMTC operates the Vayu Vajra Volvo service every 15 minutes to major city points. KSRTC runs “Flybus” coaches to cities like Mysore and Manipal via Mangaluru.
- Taxis and Ride share: Airport taxis, Ola, Uber, and BluSmart have dedicated pick up and drop off zones outside both terminals.
- Rail (future): A halt at Devanahalli opened in 2021, with a shuttle bus to both terminals. Plans for the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project and the 58 km Blue Line metro aim to link the airport to the city centre by 2027.
- Runways: There are two parallel runways (09L/27R and 09R/27L), each 4,000 metres long. They can handle the largest aircraft and have advanced instrument landing systems.
- Cargo: Three cargo terminals plus a greenfield terminal opened in February 2025 handle over 500,000 tonnes of freight each year. They include special zones for perishables. A cargo village offers offices, meeting rooms and truck parking.
- Parking: There are multi level parking garages near each terminal. Short term and long term parking options are available. Valet service is also offered.
- Shopping and Dining: Both terminals have duty free shops, branded retail outlets, restaurants, cafés and snack kiosks. Local and international food options include Indian, Chinese, fast food and coffee chains.
- Lounges: T1 has two lounges. T2 has multiple lounges, including airline lounges and pay per use spaces. All lounges offer refreshments, Wi Fi, newspapers, showers and quiet areas. People can sleep in sleeping lounges.
- Other Amenities: Free Wi Fi is available across both terminals. Prayer rooms are on each level. Medical clinics, ATMs and currency exchange counters are in the arrivals and departures areas. Car rental desks and prepaid taxi booths are also easy to find.
- Central Kitchen: A 14,000 m² central kitchen by SATS opened in March 2024. It serves all food outlets in both terminals.
- Training and Maintenance: IndiGo’s iFly Training Academy trains cabin crew and pilots. New Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities support aircraft upkeep.
Phase 2 of T2 is underway, adding more gates & lounges. An automated people mover between the two terminals is being planned. A third terminal design is in progress. Together, these projects aim to raise annual capacity beyond 90 million passengers, strengthening Bengaluru as a major aviation hub in South Asia.
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