Kempegowda Airport Set for Major Expansion: Capacity to Reach 80 Million Passengers by 2030
Bengaluru/New Delhi: Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru is set for a major expansion, with plans to increase its passenger handling capacity to 80 million passengers per annum (mppa) by 2030, in response to rising air traffic demand.
Replying to an unstarred question raised by MP P.C. Mohan in Parliament, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated that the current combined capacity of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 stands at 51.5 mppa, while the airport handled around 44.5 million passengers in the financial year 2025ā26.
With passenger traffic steadily approaching saturation levels, airport authorities have planned phased infrastructure expansion between 2027 and 2030. This includes enhancements to taxiways, apron facilities, and terminal infrastructure to accommodate future growth.
On the cargo front, the airport currently has a handling capacity of over 1 million metric tonnes annually, while present cargo throughput stands at approximately 0.53 million metric tonnes, indicating significant headroom for expansion.
The airport already operates with two parallel independent runways, providing a strong foundation for scaling operations without immediate runway expansion.
Officials noted that airport expansion is guided by pre-defined capacity triggers under concession agreements. Once traffic approaches a certain threshold of installed capacity, expansion plans are activated based on projected passenger growth, cargo demand, and long-term aviation requirements.
The upcoming expansion is expected to strengthen Bengaluruās position as one of Indiaās fastest-growing aviation hubs, catering to increasing domestic and international travel demand while supporting the regionās economic growth.
About the Author
