Lois Larson
The Kempegowda International Airport, formerly known as the Bengaluru International Airport, is the primary international airport serving Bangalore, India. The airport is located about 40 kilometres north of Bangalore's city centre and is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public-private consortium. With a capacity of approximately 720 aircraft movements per day and 11 million passengers per year, it is one of the largest airports in India. The airport features various amenities, including retail outlets, lounges, duty-free shopping, currency exchange services, and efficient transport connections to the city.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Kempegowda International Airport |
| Former Name | Bengaluru International Airport |
| IATA Code | BLR |
| ICAO Code | VOBL |
| Location | 35-40 km north of Bangalore city centre, near Devanahalli |
| Area | 16 sq. km (6.2 sq. mi) or 4,000 acres |
| Terminals | 2 (with a third Hajj terminal) |
| Cargo Terminals | 3 |
| Owned and Operated by | Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL) |
| Awards | CNBC TV 18 Infrastructure Excellence Award 2012, 'Excellence in dedicated ICT Infrastructure' award, 'Best airport in India' award (2011), ACI ASQ Award for 'Best Airport for Arrivals Globally' (2024) |
| Annual Passenger Traffic | 11 million (up to 27 million) |
| Daily Aircraft Movement Capacity | 720-721 |
| Facilities | Baggage service, check-in facilities, retail outlets, duty-free shopping, lounges, forex services, restaurants, prayer rooms, luggage storage, self-service check-in kiosks, automated e-gates, ATMs, web check-in facility, AI robot named Temi |
| Nearby Attractions | Devanahalli Fort, Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Hennur Bamboo Forest |
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What You'll Learn
- The airport is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru
- Kempegowda International Airport is the third-largest airport in India
- The airport has two terminals, with a third under construction
- It is located 35-40km north of the city centre
- The airport is owned and operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)
The airport is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, India, is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of the city of Bengaluru (Bangalore). The airport is also referred to as Bangalore International Airport and Bengaluru International Airport. It is located about 35-40 kilometres north of the city centre, near the suburb of Devanahalli.
Kempe Gowda I was the founder of Bengaluru and is credited with establishing the city in 1537. He was a ruler under the Vijayanagara Empire and is known for his contributions to the development of the region. The airport was named in his honour to recognise his significance in the history of Bengaluru.
The proposal to rename the airport after Kempe Gowda I was initiated by the State Government in February 2009. However, it was not until December 2011 that the State Government passed a resolution for the name change. The proposal was accepted and formally approved by the Union Government in July 2013. On 14 December 2013, the airport was officially renamed "Kempegowda International Airport" alongside the inauguration of its expanded terminal building.
Kempegowda International Airport is a busy aviation hub, ranking as the third-busiest airport in India, the 27th busiest in Asia, and the 54th busiest worldwide as of 2024. It handles a high volume of passenger traffic, with approximately 20-27 million passengers annually, and can accommodate around 720 aircraft movements daily. The airport features multiple terminals, including a terminal specifically for Hajj pilgrims, and offers both domestic and international flights to various destinations.
In addition to its role as a significant transportation hub, Kempegowda International Airport has also achieved recognition for its sustainability initiatives. It became Karnataka's first fully solar-powered airport, showcasing its commitment to environmental sustainability and renewable energy.
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Kempegowda International Airport is the third-largest airport in India
The Kempegowda International Airport (IATA: BLR, ICAO: VOBL) is the third-largest airport in India, behind Delhi and Mumbai. It is an international airport serving Bengaluru, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. The airport is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru.
Kempegowda International Airport is located about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north of the city, near the suburb of Devanahalli. It covers an area of 4,000 acres (1,600 hectares) or 16 square kilometres (6.2 square miles). The airport is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public-private consortium.
Kempegowda International Airport became operational in May 2008 as an alternative to the congested HAL Airport, the original commercial airport serving Bengaluru. It has two runways in operation and three cargo terminals. The airport has a fuel farm spread over 11 acres (4.5 hectares) west of the cargo village and passenger terminal.
The airport serves both domestic and international flights, with connections to various destinations within India and worldwide. It has a capacity of approximately 720 aircraft movements per day and can handle 11 million people per annum. The airport features baggage and check-in facilities, retail outlets, duty-free shopping, currency exchange services, and various lounges and restaurants.
In recent years, Kempegowda International Airport has undergone expansions, including the inauguration of Terminal 2 in 2022, also known as the 'garden terminal'. The new terminal spans 255,000 square metres and embraces the concept of being a terminal in a garden, paying homage to Bengaluru's identity as the 'Garden City of India'. The airport has received accolades for its design and customer satisfaction, including being named the 'Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia' at the 2024 Skytrax World Airport Awards.
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The airport has two terminals, with a third under construction
The Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore currently has two terminals, with a third under construction. The airport, which is officially known as Bangalore International Airport (IATA: BLR), is situated 40 kilometres (25 miles) north of the city. It is the primary international airport serving Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka, and is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL).
The first terminal, Terminal 1, is the main passenger terminal from which travellers can take domestic and international flights. It is a four-level building equipped with modern amenities such as a web check-in facility, an AI robot named Temi, a lounge area, excellent baggage services, and duty-free shopping. Terminal 1 can handle approximately 720 aircraft movements per day and serves around 11 million passengers annually.
Terminal 2, also known as the Garden Terminal, is located on the northeastern side of Terminal 1. It was inaugurated in November 2022 and is the first greenfield airport terminal operated by a public-private partnership. The design of Terminal 2 pays tribute to Bengaluru's "Garden City" title, featuring local artistry, regional culture-inspired interiors, and botanical elements. The terminal is spread across an area of 255,000 square metres and consists of four floors that seamlessly integrate departures and arrivals.
In addition to the existing two terminals, there are plans for a third terminal at the Kempegowda International Airport. The airport recently inaugurated the largest greenfield Domestic Cargo Terminal (DCT) in February 2025, which will enhance the airport's domestic cargo handling capacity and improve infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for domestic cargo.
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It is located 35-40km north of the city centre
Kempegowda International Airport, also known as Bangalore International Airport, is located 35-40km north of the city centre. It is close to the suburb of Devanahalli, which is around a 15-minute journey from the airport. Devanahalli Fort, a centuries-old building that offers an insight into the region's history, is also located near the airport.
Bangalore Airport is around 30km away from the Bangalore railway station, with the journey taking around 30 minutes. The airport is well-connected to the city, with efficient bus services, railway connectivity, and air travel. The travel time between the airport and the city centre can vary depending on traffic conditions and can take between 40 minutes to 2 hours.
The airport covers an area of 4,000 acres or 16 square kilometres and is owned and operated by Bengaluru International Airport Limited (BIAL), a public-private consortium. It is the primary international airport serving Bangalore, the capital city of Karnataka. The airport was built as an alternative to the congested HAL Airport, the original commercial airport in the city.
Kempegowda International Airport has two terminals currently in service, with Terminal 1 being the main passenger terminal for both domestic and international flights. Terminal 2, also known as the Garden Terminal, was inaugurated in November 2022 and is located on the northeastern side of Terminal 1. The airport can handle approximately 720 aircraft movements per day and serves around 11 million passengers annually.
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The airport is owned and operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL)
Kempegowda International Airport, also known as Bangalore International Airport, is owned and operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). BIAL is a public-private consortium that was established to manage the airport's operations and ensure the safety of its passengers.
The airport is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru (Bangalore), and is located about 35-40 kilometres north of the city, near the suburb of Devanahalli. Covering an area of 16 square kilometres, it is one of the largest airports in India, serving as the primary international airport for Bangalore, the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka.
BIAL provides ultra-modern facilities at the airport, including efficient baggage and check-in services, retail outlets, duty-free shopping, lounges, and various shops and eating joints. The airport also offers currency exchange services, making it convenient for international travellers.
Kempegowda International Airport has two terminals, with Terminal 1 serving as the main passenger terminal for both domestic and international flights. The airport can handle approximately 720 aircraft movements per day and caters to around 11 million passengers annually. The second terminal, known as the Garden Terminal, was inaugurated in November 2022 and is located on the northeastern side of Terminal 1.
BIAL has also developed Karnataka's first fully solar-powered airport, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and innovation.
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Frequently asked questions
The name of the Bangalore airport is Kempegowda International Airport.
The airport was officially renamed "Kempegowda International Airport" on December 14, 2013, alongside the inauguration of the expanded terminal building.
The Bangalore airport is named after Kempe Gowda I, the founder of Bengaluru (Bangalore).
The airport is the third busiest airport in India, behind the airports in Delhi and Mumbai. It is the 27th busiest airport in Asia and the 54th busiest airport in the world as of 2024.
The airport is approximately 35-40 kilometres north of the city of Bangalore.
