High international traffic lifts Bengaluru airport passenger count to 44.47 million in 2025-26

Bengaluru: Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) served 44.47 million passengers and 5.32 lakh metric tonnes of cargo in 2025–26, driven by a surge in international passenger numbers, steady domestic demand and strengthening cargo operations. 

International traffic rose by 23.9% to 7.23 million passengers, while domestic traffic grew by 3.3% to 37.24 million passengers, taking overall passenger traffic up 6.2% year-on-year, said Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). 

Transfer traffic at the airport rose by approximately 22% year-on-year and now accounts for around 15.7% of total passenger traffic. While domestic transfers are growing at approximately 3.2%, international transfers are expanding at over 50%, it added. 

The airport added new international destinations, including Hanoi and Riyadh, and increased frequencies to London Heathrow, Bangkok, Bahrain, Jeddah, Phuket, Kuwait, Kathmandu, Munich and Mauritius. The airport's key international destinations included Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, London Heathrow and Kuala Lumpur, while Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad and Pune remained the top domestic sectors. The domestic network also saw additions of Navi Mumbai, Jaisalmer, Bidar, Silchar and Dimapur, BIAL stated. 

A total of 280,800 air traffic movements were recorded during the year, a 4.5% year-on-year increase. Average daily movements stood at 769, with a peak of 837 movements in a single day. Passenger traffic also reached a record high, with 139,111 passengers handled in a single day. 

The airport handled 5.32 lakh metric tonnes of cargo, up 6% year-on-year. Fifteen cargo airlines operated across 38 destinations, connecting Bengaluru to Chicago, Singapore, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Shenzhen and Hong Kong. Demand was driven by a mix of agri-perishables, pharma, auto parts, spare parts, electrical and electronics, and e-commerce. 

The KIA handled about 60 million rose stems during the year, with volumes up 38% and tonnage rising 64%, BIAL said.