India's largest domestic cargo terminal has been inaugurated at Bengaluru International Airport
Bengaluru Airport now offers direct connections to over 100 destinations—75 within the country and 31 internationally—through 38 passenger airlines and 12 dedicated cargo airlines.
Bangalore International Airport (BIAL) and Menzies Aviation have established the nation's largest greenfield domestic cargo terminal (DCT) at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (KIAB/BLR Airport).
Covering 245,000 square feet over 7 acres, the terminal boasts a peak handling capacity of 360,000 metric tonnes, with the potential to expand to 400,000 metric tonnes. The facility is outfitted with 42 truck docks, more than 400 cargo bins, X-ray-integrated conveyors, and 30 ULD stations, along with real-time data capture capabilities using 40 handheld terminals and self-service kiosks for agents.
“Our previous total cargo capacity was 750,000 metric tonnes. This new terminal adds an additional 360,000 to 400,000 metric tonnes, pushing our overall capacity beyond 1 million metric tonnes,” remarked Satyaki Raghunath, COO of BIAL. He foresees the airport managing 1 million metric tonnes of cargo and catering to 80-90 million passengers by 2030, ultimately achieving a saturation capacity of over 100 million passengers and 1.5 million metric tonnes of cargo.
Bengaluru Airport now connects directly to over 100 destinations—75 domestic and 31 international—through 38 passenger airlines and 12 dedicated cargo airlines. It remains the third busiest airport in the country for both passenger and cargo traffic and is the sole airport in South India with two independent parallel runways.
“Growth in domestic cargo is driven by express shipments and perishable goods. E-commerce leaders such as Amazon and Flipkart rely on air cargo for swift deliveries, while fresh produce, seafood, and pharmaceuticals necessitate effective logistics solutions,” Raghunath further commented.
Constructed to meet the standards of the Indian Green Building Council, the terminal incorporates environmentally friendly features like skylights, advanced ventilation, water conservation strategies, and energy-efficient infrastructure.
BIAL is a collaborative venture involving Fairfax India (64%), Airports Authority of India (13%), and Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (13%).
Equipped with state-of-the-art technology and digital solutions, the terminal presents enhancements such as real-time shipment tracking, data analytics tools, and improved communication systems integrated with barcodes and QR codes. Additionally, the terminal will feature specialized storage areas for distinct types of cargo, including valuables, fragile items, live animals, hazardous materials, and radioactive substances, thereby strengthening its comprehensive cargo handling capabilities.
In 2024, BLR Airport accommodated around 40.7 million passengers and processed nearly 496,227 metric tonnes of cargo. Projections for 2025 suggest cargo volumes will surpass 500,000 metric tonnes.
Bengaluru is set to soon welcome its second airport, with three locations currently under consideration
According to sources reported by MoneyControl, three potential sites have been identified, but a conclusive decision will be reached after discussions with the Chief Minister, followed by submitting the proposal to the AAI pending the CM’s endorsement.
Bidadi and Harohalli are situated in the Ramanagara district, which is also the home district of Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar. In contrast, Solur is located in the Bengaluru Rural district.
In June 2024, M B Patil, the Minister for State Infrastructure Development, indicated that the government was exploring land options for Bengaluru's second airport from a pool of seven sites. However, the proposal was to be submitted to the Airports Authority of India (AAI), as there were discrepancies among the ministers.
Airport to accommodate 100 million passengers each year
Previously, Patil mentioned that the airport would be designed to handle up to 100 million passengers annually and would necessitate approximately 4,500 to 5,000 acres of land.
Currently, several Congress ministers seem to have differing opinions on the ideal location; Shivakumar is advocating for the airport to be situated in Ramanagara, while Home Minister Dr G Parameshwara is in favor of Tumakuru.
Amidst these discussions, experts believe that, similar to Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli, which spurred real estate growth in northern Bengaluru, the site of the second airport will significantly influence property values and catalyze the development of residential areas, commercial facilities, and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu assured the Rajya Sabha on February 3 that approval for a second airport in Bengaluru would be granted once the location is finalized.
For all aviation-related guidance (DGCA ground classes, pilot training, cabin crew training)
Contact us https://contrail.in/
phone numbers +91 78457 69399