Bengaluru's proposed second international airport to have 100 million passenger capacity: Karnataka minister

Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil.

Karnataka Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil on July 10 said that Bengaluru's proposed second international airport will have an annual passenger capacity of 100 million.

"The second airport, which is being planned, will be on par with the existing Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru and Navi Mumbai airport," said Patil.

Patil said the government plans to acquire around 4,000-5,000 acres for the new airport.

Before making a final decision, Patil said the government would consider two main aspects: passenger load and connectivity to the existing Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

He said the exclusivity clause with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which restricts the establishment of another airport within a 150-km radius, ends in 2032.

"KIA has only two runways and that passenger and cargo capacity will be saturated by 2035, so planning for an international airport needs to start now," said Patil.

"There are different parameters for identifying the land for the new airport. It should have around 5,000 acres of land with runways and flight paths, minimal settlements, better accessibility to highways and rail, and connectivity to the existing airport within 50-60 km. We also need to study the passenger load factor," he said.

He said that they have zeroed in on 5-6 locations but will convene a meeting with aviation experts and others to finalise the location. "Then we will place it in the state cabinet. But the location has not been finalised yet."

Patil said Dobbaspet and Tumakuru have better connectivity to the existing airport, but they are also considering land parcels along Mysuru Road, Magadi Road, Kanakapura Road, and Jigani.

On Tamil Nadu's plan to set up Hosur airport, he said, "It's their right to set up an airport, but the 150-km rule applies to them as well. They announced it after we made the second airport plan. We are serious about the second airport and are committed."

Asked if they have plans to reopen HAL airport, which was closed in 2008 after KIA became operational, he said, "HAL airport has only a 3 million capacity, which is inadequate for future requirements. We are planning an international airport as big as KIA and Navi Mumbai."

He said that they have yet to decide whether the airport will be executed as a public-private partnership.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders in the state are divided over the location of the proposed airport. While Home Minister G Parameshwara wants the new airport in his home district of Tumakuru, Deputy CM and Bengaluru Development Minister DK Shivakumar is projecting Bidadi or South Bengaluru for the project.

Patil affirmed the state government's commitment to the new airport. "We will consult with aviation experts and others and finalise the location. The proposed identified site will be based on merit and in the interest of Karnataka. The location of the airport will be finalised based on parameters like passenger load, accessibility, and expert opinions," said Patil.