Second runway commences operations at international airport in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Kempe Gowda International airport in Bengaluru commenced operations on the new South Runway with the take off of the first flight on the 4-km long and 45-metre wide airstrip.

This makes the Bengaluru international airport the first in the country to operate independent parallel runways, enabling aircraft to land or take-off simultaneously on both runways, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) said in a press release.

"It is a historic day for us at BLR Airport as we commenced operations on the new runway," said BIAL CEO Hari Marar.

The South Runway will begin with limited operations before gradually scaling up flight operations. The runway will initially have CAT I certification, and, as operations stabilise, will progressively manage CAT III B operations, enabling landing and takeoff in extremely low visibility conditions. The new runway will be coded RWY 09R/27L, while the existing runway will be renamed RWY 09L/27R (from RWY 09/27), the press release added.

“Our first runway opened 11 years ago, and became a linchpin for the region's economic development during the last decade. With the aviation industry in India set for exponential growth, two operational runways will provide the thrust required to cater to this demand and further bolster growth of Karnataka and India. The opening of this key infrastructure is the outcome of phenomenal collaboration amongst various stakeholders and implementation of processes and procedures developed through advanced simulations and assessments. The new Runway will further bolster our vision to transform BLR Airport into the new gateway to India," he added.

The Bengaluru international airport is the first Greenfield airport in India to be built as a private-public partnership. Private promoters hold 74% (Fairfax 54% and Siemens Projects Ventures 20%) stake in BIAL, while the government holds the remaining 26% (Karnataka State Industrial & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited – 13%, Airports Authority of India – 13%).

The airport began operations in May 2008 and 37 passenger airlines and 12 cargo airlines connects Bengaluru to the rest of the world. The airport welcomed 33.3 million passengers in the year 2018-19, registering a 23.8% year-on-year growth.