Bengaluru: Air India Picks Kempegowda Airport As Second Hub, Aims For Enhanced Connectivity

Air India has chosen Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport as its second hub in India.

This move comes as the Tata Group-supported airline looks to expand its operations beyond the capital city.

Collaborating with other Tata Group airlines like Air India Express and Vistara, Air India plans to work closely with Bengaluru airport over the next five years. The goal is to improve international connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger experience.

A dedicated domestic lounge is also in the pipeline at Bengaluru airport for premium and frequent travelers of all Tata Group airlines.

The Union government has been advocating for the development of aviation hubs across the country. These hubs would enable seamless international connectivity via India to various overseas destinations, potentially attracting more investments and commerce.

Presently, New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport stands as the largest international hub for major Indian airlines like IndiGo and Air India.

Air India had been eyeing a second hub in South India to boost its international and domestic operations, as reported by Mint in October.

According to the latest data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Air India and Air India Express together hold the highest share (19.9 percent) of international air traffic to and from India, followed by IndiGo’s 18.2 percent and Vistara’s 3.6 percent shares.

The establishment of a hub at Bengaluru airport aims to enhance international connectivity for southern India through a hub-and-spoke system, similar to models adopted by prominent international hub airports like Dubai, Hong Kong, and London Heathrow.

As per Mint, “Airline-airport synergy is key to elevated customer experience and efficient operations, while Bengaluru is highly attractive as an origin and destination market as well as a connecting hub,” said Campbell Wilson, Air India’s CEO.

Air India has also signed an agreement with the Karnataka government to set up maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities at Bengaluru airport. This move aligns with the airline’s plans to introduce more direct long-haul routes from southern India.

The collaboration between Air India and Bengaluru airport mirrors the government’s vision of transforming Indian airports into hubs. This vision aims to ensure seamless connectivity and reduce connection times between flights.

Hari Marar, managing director and CEO of Bengaluru International Airport Ltd., expressed optimism about the collaboration, emphasizing its significance in realizing the goal of developing Indian airports into hubs.

Kempegowda International Airport, the busiest in southern India and the third-largest in the country, handled 31.9 million passengers in FY23. With Bengaluru airport’s expansion plans, including the recently inaugurated Terminal 2 and potential for future growth, it’s poised to play a significant role in India’s aviation sector.