Over 33.1 million passengers transited through Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in the financial year 2018-19, with the airport registering a growth of 23.8% compared to the previous year.
A release from Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) said: “During the 12-month period, domestic traffic continued to be the main driver of growth, accounting for 28.82 million passengers, an upswing of 24.8% over last fiscal’s 23.09 million. A total of 4.48 million passengers travelled to and from international destinations — a growth of 17.5% over the previous year’s 3.81 million.”
The release states that 37 passenger airlines and 12 cargo airlines are operating from KIA. Air Traffic Movements (ATMs) increased by 21.8% with 2,40,251 landing and take-offs compared to 1,97,330 movements last year. The average ATMs per day for the year was 658.
Considering the growth in traffic, the airport has taken up expansion plans by undertaking projects costing ₹13,000 crore. The expansion projects include first-phase construction of a 2,55,000 sq. m Terminal 2, an advanced Cat-IIIB Code-F Capable Runway, and others. The new terminal will be operational in 2021, the release said.
Hari Marar, MD and CEO, BIAL, said: “We have introduced several technology initiatives such as the fully-automated self-bag-drop machines, enabling passengers to complete baggage check-in in under 45 seconds and the Smart Security Lane with Automated Tray Retrieval System to make travel seamless.”