KIA begins work on 2nd runway; to be linked to Terminal 2 apron

 Embarking on a big upgrade of its facilities, the Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB) has commenced excavation work for a second runway. The 60-metre-wide and 4,000-metre-long runway (NSPR) will cater to Code F type of aircraft and feature a full parallel taxiway and two cross field taxiways.

The taxiways will link the new runway to the existing north runway and Terminal 2 apron. Also, part of the expansion will be an upgrade of the existing runway. Massive earth balance works are currently under way for the parallel runway.

Under the expansion plan, the main airfield will also be developed. This includes pavement works, CAT III B airfield lighting, signage, drainage, fuel hydrants and associated works.

The design for the airport’s Terminal 2 is all set to commence with US architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). T2 will be constructed in two phases. The first phase will cater to 20 million passengers annually (MPA) and is expected to be commissioned by 2021. The project cost is estimated to be about Rs 4,000 crore.

The second phase of the project will increase the passenger capacity to another 15 million.

When completed, T2 will cater to 35 MPA. Additionally, the existing facility (T1) will undergo further expansion to accommodate the growth till the first phase of T2 is completed. The combined capacity of T1 and T2 will be approximately 55 MPA, according to Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) officials.

On an average, over 50,500 passengers transit through the KIAB every day. Launched in 2008, the airport connects 44 airlines to 67 destinations in India and globally. Last year, the KIAB had shown a 14% increase in regional Air Traffic Movements compared to 2014.