Air India has announced Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport as its second aviation hub in India, a move aimed at expanding operations beyond the capital. Collaborating with other Tata Group airlines like Air India Express and Vistara, the airline aims to enhance international connectivity, operational efficiency, and passenger experience over the next five years.
Part of this collaboration involves establishing a dedicated domestic lounge at Bengaluru airport for premium and frequent travellers of all Tata Group airlines. This decision aligns with the government’s push for developing aviation hubs across the country to facilitate one-stop international connectivity, thereby attracting more investments and commerce.
Currently, New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport serves as the largest international hub in India for major airlines such as IndiGo and Air India. However, with Air India and Air India Express commanding a cumulative 19.9% share of international air traffic, the establishment of a hub at Bengaluru airport signifies a strategic move.
Operating under a hub-and-spoke system, the Bengaluru hub will direct traffic from spoke airports to serve as a transfer point for passengers to reach their final destinations. This model, commonly used by prominent international hub airports like Dubai, Hong Kong, and London Heathrow, enhances efficiency and connectivity.
Campbell Wilson, CEO and Managing Director of Air India, emphasized the importance of airline-airport synergy in elevating customer experience and operational efficiency. Additionally, Air India has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government to establish maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities at Bengaluru airport, paving the way for more direct long-haul routes from southern India.
Hari Marar, MD and CEO of Bengaluru International Airport Ltd., expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting Bengaluru’s attractiveness as both an origin-destination market and a connecting hub. With Kempegowda International Airport being the busiest in southern India and the third-largest in the country, the partnership with Air India marks a significant milestone towards enhancing connectivity and passenger experience in the region.
With Bengaluru airport’s infrastructure expansions, including the recently inaugurated Terminal 2 and plans for future expansions, the airport is poised to handle a substantial increase in passenger traffic, further solidifying its position as a key aviation hub in India.
