Kempegowda International Airport

Overview

Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR, ICAO: VOBL) is the primary international gateway to Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka, India. Located in Devanahalli, approximately 35 km north of the city, the airport spans 16 square kilometres and is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public–private consortium.

Opened in May 2008 as a replacement for the congested HAL Airport, BLR is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru. The airport is notable for being Karnataka’s first fully solar-powered airport, developed in partnership with CleanMax Solar.

Runways

Kempegowda International Airport operates two parallel runways capable of handling Code-F aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 747-8.

Runway 09L/27R: 4,000 m × 45 m (CAT IIIB ILS)
Runway 09R/27L: 4,000 m × 45 m (CAT IIIB ILS)

Aviation Fuel Services

Kempegowda International Airport features an 11-acre fuel farm developed by Indian Oil Skytanking Ltd (IOSL), serving multiple oil companies. A dedicated 36-km underground fuel pipeline connects the airport to IndianOil’s storage terminal at Devanagonthi, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply.

Terminals at Kempegowda International Airport (BLR)

Terminal 1 (Domestic):
Handles domestic flights for IndiGo, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, and SpiceJet with a capacity of 35 million passengers annually. Operates as a domestic-only terminal since September 2023 and includes two domestic lounges.

Terminal 2 (Domestic & International):
Inaugurated in 2022, Terminal 2 adds 25 million passengers per year capacity, with expansion underway. It handles all international flights and select domestic services, and is designed to accommodate wide-body aircraft like the Airbus A380

Central Kitchen:
SATS opened its first India central kitchen at Kempegowda International Airport on 16 March 2024, a 14,000 sq. m facility built with an investment of ₹210 crore to support regional food-service demand.

Cargo Facilities

The airport is a major air-cargo hub with three dedicated cargo terminals operated by AISATS, DHL–Blue Dart, and Menzies Aviation Bobba. A new greenfield domestic cargo terminal, commissioned in February 2025, further strengthens capacity. Together, the facilities enable handling of up to 1.4 million tonnes of cargo annually, making the airport India’s leading center for perishable cargo.

Other Facilities

Kempegowda International Airport hosts the IndiGo iFly Training Academy, operational since 2019, providing advanced training for flight crew and aviation professionals.

Airline Hub Operations

The airport serves as a major hub and operating base for several airlines:

Hubs: Air India, Alliance Air, DHL Aviation, FedEx Express, Star Air
Operating bases: IndiGo, Akasa Air, Air India Express

Future Plans

Terminal 2 Phase 2 will add 20 million passengers per annum capacity, along with plans for an Automated People Mover (APM) to connect all terminals. A future Terminal 3 is planned for the late 2020s or early 2030s, targeting a total capacity of 90–100 million passengers annually. Interim projects include Metro and Suburban Rail connectivity and the Airport City development. Additionally, a 1.4 km Western cross-field taxiway is under construction to connect both runways and support Code-F aircraft, with completion expected by H1 2026.

Key Achievements

Awarded Best Airport for Arrivals Globally by Airports Council International (ACI) for multiple years based on passenger feedback and service quality.
One of India’s busiest airports, surpassing 40 million passengers annually and serving as a key aviation hub.
India’s top perishable cargo hub, handling the highest volume of temperature-sensitive cargo in the country

Geographical coordinates

The geographical coordinates (latitude & longitude) of Kempegowda International Airport (Bengaluru International Airport), India are approximately:

Decimal Degrees:
Latitude: 13.1989° N
Longitude: 77.7056° E

Degrees Minutes Seconds (DMS):
13° 11′ 56″ N, 77° 42′ 20″ E

Airline Partners Information

Airport Operators Committee:

With the primary objective of providing an effective interface between the airline community and Government departments, the Airline Operators Committee (AOC) at BLR Airport represents the interests of airlines operating out of this Airport. Membership to the AOC is open to all airlines operating at BLR Airport.

Current Executive Board:

Mr. Bhaskar Mazumdar, Chairman

Mr. Rajesh Menon, Vice Chairman

Mr. Raghavan Narayanan, Secretary