BIAL to expand terminal soon

The Bangalore International Airport Limited, the operator of the Bengaluru International Airport today said that the expansion of the passenger terminal building will commence during June 2011. The terminal, when completed, will double the existing terminal area of 70,000 square metres. 

This will take the terminal capacity to over 17 million passengers per annum, with the flexibility to expand it to 20 million, a requirement that will meet the traffic demand for the next few years. 

Simultaneously, a comprehensive review of the master plan is underway. 

“With the commencement of the terminal expansion, we hope to alleviate any hurdles being faced by passengers today. On its completion, we envision an enhanced airport that befits the city of Bangalore, enhances its business opportunities, complements its culture and welcomes its visitors,” said G V Sanjay Reddy, Managing Director, Bangalore International Airport Limited. The design of the expanded terminal will sport an enhanced and modern design elevation and will be completed approximately 18 months from the commencement of the construction. 

The construction partners for the project chosen are Larsen & Toubro, through an international competitive bidding process. 

The enhanced terminal is aimed at significantly improving passenger exp-erience, making access to seating, amenities and commercial facilities easier and better.

The Bengaluru International Airport has also completed three years of its operations today. Handling 33,000 passenger movements and 330 air traffic movements every day, the airport is growing at an annual rate of 18 per cent which is higher than the national average of 16 per cent and is one of the busiest airports in the country today.

The passenger traffic has been steadily increasing at the airport. From 7.9 million passengers in the first year of its operations, the airport handled 10 million in the second year. In 2010-11, a total of 11.7 million passengers travelled through the Bengaluru International Airport. The annual cargo tonnage too handled at the airport increased by 24.6 per cent, crossing 224,000 tonnes of cargo for the past year. With an annual growth of cargo handling at 24.6 per cent, the airport is poised to achieving its aim of becoming the gateway to South India. 

Presently, 33 airlines operate to BIAL and connect to over 50 destinations across the country and the world. Newer routes are in the pipeline with more international airlines approaching the Bengaluru International Airport to begin operations. In the last three years, the airport has worked hard towards attracting other airlines that will benefit the passenger profile of Bangalore. A model of operational efficiency, the airport has won many accolades for its consistent high performance including the prestigious ‘Best Airport India’ award by Skytrax.