New Bangalore airport counters may be open by weekend

Facilities in expanded terminal awaiting various approvals

The expanded terminal of Kempegowda International Airport has new counters for immigration, security and baggage handling. Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Although it has been over a month since new counters for immigration, security and baggage handling were inaugurated at the expanded T1 terminal of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), passengers are yet to get the benefits of the new facilities. For, approval from the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, which is a prerequisite to throw open the facilities, is pending.

The approval is expected to come around this weekend.

“The security sweep of the entire new area had to be conducted and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has to give the approval for the launch of these facilities. The approval is expected to come any time,” a source told

The Hindu . Airport authorities had been gearing up for the launch from Wednesday and the facilities would be ready for use by the weekend, the source added.

Officials of the GVK-led Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL) that operates the airport refused to comment.

The facilities, including new the counters and common service areas, had been inaugurated by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on December 14.

Expansion of the terminal building and improved facilities at the nearly six-year-old airport came at a cost of Rs. 1,500 crore. The airport has been designed to handle 20 million passengers annually. Currently, it handles around 12 million passengers.