Explore Bangalore Airport: Navigating Multiple Gates Efficiently

The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, India, is a bustling hub of activity, serving as a gateway to the metropolitan city of Bengaluru and the state of Karnataka. With its excellent amenities and great service, it's no surprise that it was named the Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2024. As for the number of gates, let's take a look at what each terminal has to offer. Terminal 1, also known as the Garden City Terminal, boasts a capacity of 20 million passengers annually and features various lounges, including the BLR Domestic and International Lounges, as well as VIP lounges. Terminal 2, which opened in November 2022, adds another 25 million passengers to the airport's annual capacity. In phase one of its construction, it includes 22 contact gates, 15 bus gates, and 17 security check lanes. So, together, these two terminals contribute to a significant number of gates, catering to the high volume of passenger traffic that passes through the airport each year.

Phase one of Terminal 2 has 22 contact gates, 15 bus gates

The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, India, is a bustling hub of activity, serving millions of passengers each year. With the ever-growing demand for air travel, the airport has expanded to meet the needs of its users. As part of this expansion, the airport unveiled its new Terminal 2 in November 2022, adding much-needed capacity and enhancing the overall passenger experience.

Phase one of Terminal 2 is a impressive development, boasting a range of features and amenities. One of its key attributes is the inclusion of 22 contact gates. These contact gates provide direct access to the aircraft, ensuring a seamless and efficient boarding process for passengers. With a total of 22 gates, this allows for the simultaneous handling of multiple flights, reducing potential delays and streamlining operations.

In addition to the contact gates, phase one of Terminal 2 also incorporates 15 bus gates. Bus gates are typically utilised for remote parking stands, where passengers are transported to and from the terminal by bus. This addition of 15 bus gates further enhances the airport's capacity and ability to manage a high volume of flights and passengers.

The combination of contact gates and bus gates in phase one of Terminal 2 offers a versatile and flexible approach to aircraft and passenger handling. By having both options available, the airport can accommodate different types of aircraft and optimise the movement of passengers, ensuring a smooth and efficient flow.

Furthermore, phase one of Terminal 2 is designed with the comfort and convenience of passengers in mind. It features a total of 95 check-in counters, ensuring a quick and streamlined check-in process, reducing potential queues and waiting times. Additionally, there are 17 security check lanes, allowing for the efficient screening of passengers, maintaining a safe and secure environment without causing unnecessary delays.

The ground floor of Terminal 2 is dedicated to arrivals, providing a spacious and well-organised area for passengers to begin their journey. The first floor, on the other hand, is reserved for departures, offering a convenient and easily navigable space for those about to embark on their travels.

The airport has two passenger terminals

Phase one of Terminal 2 has 95 check-in counters, 22 contact gates, 15 bus gates, and 17 security check lanes. The ground floor is designated for arrivals, while the first floor is for departures. Terminal 2 features five lounges: the 080 Domestic Lounge (+ VIP Lounge), the 080 International Lounge (+ VIP Lounge), and the newly opened Air India Domestic Lounge.

The Bangalore Airport Passenger Terminal is a single, fully air-conditioned, four-level building accommodating international and domestic operations. The basement houses storage areas and rest areas, while the check-in counters and baggage reclaim belts are located on Level 1. The arrival and departure areas are separated vertically with a simple straight-ahead flow system. The domestic and international departure lounges and retail outlets are on Level 2.

Terminal 1 at the Kempegowda International Airport handles both international and domestic flights, with 20 million passengers passing through annually. The terminal is divided into different levels that handle various international and domestic services. The ground floor hosts arrivals, with domestic and international arrivals to the right of the hall and the check-in hall to the left. Domestic and international services are categorized as red and green channels, respectively. The red channel includes domestic arrivals, a cafe, and food and drink shops, while the green channel includes international arrivals, duty-free shops, and a cafe. The first floor is the departures level, with domestic departures to the left and international departures to the right. This level also features various departure lounges, including domestic, international, VIP, and Plaza Premium Lounges.

Terminal 1 can handle up to 20 million passengers annually

Terminal 1 of Bangalore Airport, also known as Kempegowda International Airport, can handle up to 20 million passengers annually. The terminal is the main international gateway to the city of Bangalore (officially known as Bengaluru) and the state of Karnataka. It is one of the busiest airports in India, serving as a hub for both domestic and international flights.

The terminal is designed to accommodate a large number of passengers, with four levels that efficiently handle arrivals and departures for both domestic and international flights. The basement of the terminal houses storage areas and rest spaces, while the first level is dedicated to check-in counters and baggage reclaim. The second level is where passengers can find the departure lounges and retail outlets, offering a range of services and amenities.

The terminal boasts an impressive list of awards, including being recognised as the "Best Regional Airport in Central Asia" by Skytrax in 2015. It has also received accolades for being the "Best Emerging" and "Best Managed" airport, as well as the LEED Gold award for its commitment to environmental sustainability.

To cater to the diverse needs of travellers, Terminal 1 offers a variety of lounges, including the BLR Domestic Lounge, BLR International Lounge, Air India Maharajah Lounge, 080 Domestic Lounge, and 080 International Lounge. These lounges provide premium services such as food, drinks, Wi-Fi, flight monitors, and comfortable waiting areas.

In addition to its functional design and award-winning status, Terminal 1 also offers a range of facilities and services to enhance the travel experience. These include emigration checks, customs, duty-free shops, food and beverage options, a prayer hall, a lost and found counter, and the Day Hotel for passengers with early flights or long layovers.

With its high passenger capacity, efficient layout, and comprehensive amenities, Terminal 1 of Bangalore Airport plays a crucial role in facilitating air travel to and from the vibrant city of Bangalore.

The airport is 35km north of the city

The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore is located 35km north of the city, near the suburb of Devanahalli. The airport is 40km from the city centre and easily accessible by road, with a six-lane flyover connecting it to the city. The journey from the city to the airport takes around 30 minutes.

There are several transport options available to get to the airport from Bangalore city centre. The Airport Metro line, currently under construction, will link the airport to the city as part of the Blue Line. It is expected to be completed between June and September 2026. In addition, the Airport Suburban Rail Project is also under development and is planned to be operational by December 2027.

For those travelling by road, there are airport cabs available, as well as app-based cab services like Uber and Ola, which have designated pick-up zones within the airport complex. The minimum cost for a cab to the city is Rs. 800. Alternatively, airport buses connect the airport to various locations in the city, with tickets priced between Rs. 170 and Rs. 300 for a single journey.

For those driving their own vehicles, the airport has multiple car parks located at ground level, with a capacity to hold up to 2000 cars at a time. The parking charges are Rs. 90 for up to 4 hours and Rs. 45 for every additional hour.

The airport is also easily accessible from other major cities in South India, such as Mysore, Mangalore, and Tirupati. Short-haul flights to these cities are available from the Kempegowda International Airport.

The Kempegowda International Airport is conveniently located, offering a range of transport options for travellers, making it a smooth and efficient gateway to the city of Bangalore and the surrounding region.

The airport is the third busiest in India

The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore is the third busiest airport in India, after New Delhi and Mumbai, in terms of passenger traffic. In 2022, nearly 16.28 million passengers passed through the airport, a significant increase from the 10.91 million passengers recorded in the previous fiscal year.

The airport is an important gateway for both domestic and international tourists, serving the metropolitan city of Bengaluru, also known as the Garden City of India, and the state of Karnataka. It is recognised for its excellent amenities and great service, having been named the Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards in 2024.

The popularity of the airport can be attributed to its continuous development, making it a preferred choice for many travellers. The airport has also been recognised for its excellent service, having been awarded the title of Best Regional Airport in Central Asia by Skytrax in 2015.

The high volume of passengers at the Kempegowda International Airport has resulted in it becoming a significant transfer hub for South India. The airport serves 74 domestic destinations, the highest number of routes offered by any South Indian airport. This extensive network of destinations has contributed to the airport's busy status, catering to a wide catchment area of 23 cities within a convenient flying time of 75 minutes.

The Kempegowda International Airport's position as the third busiest airport in India is further solidified by its ability to handle a large number of aircraft movements and cargo. The airport averaged 505 air traffic movements per day in 2017, with a total of 184,348 movements throughout the year. Additionally, the airport processed 339,461 metric tonnes of cargo in 2017, showcasing its capacity to manage significant cargo traffic.

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