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In response to the request of the Government of Karnataka, the Airport Authority of India conducted site inspections at 3 locations around Bengaluru.
This condition applies regardless of site feasibility, traffic growth or state-level planning efforts. Image:
Big cities rarely stop growing quietly. As populations grow, jobs expand and travel becomes routine, questions about infrastructure begin to surface long before bottlenecks arise. In Bengaluru, this conversation is resurfacing with increasing frequency, especially around air travel and the city’s ability to handle future demand.
Recent clarifications from the Center have now focused more on what is possible, what is restricted, and how long the city may have to wait before its next major aviation decision takes shape.
No second airport for Bengaluru till 2033, when Kempegowda International Airport will complete 25 years of operation. This position has now been clearly reiterated by the Central Government, even as the Karnataka Government is exploring long-term options to meet the city’s growing aviation demand.
A city that is moving beyond its runway
Bengaluru’s rapid expansion as the tech and startup capital of India has led to an equally rapid growth in air traffic. Kempegowda International Airport, which began operations in 2008, is already one of the busiest airports in the country. With new terminals, additional runways and expanded cargo operations, the pressure on existing infrastructure is evident. This has sparked repeated discussions about the need for a second airport to ease traffic and improve the city’s connectivity in the future.
AAI inspects potential sites
In response to the request of the Government of Karnataka, the Airport Authority of India conducted site inspections at 3 locations around Bengaluru. A high-level AAI team assessed the feasibility of these locations and submitted a preliminary report to the state government. The inspection focused on technical parameters, connectivity, land availability and long-term operational feasibility.
However, although this exercise signaled intent, it did not change the legal hurdle standing in the way of any immediate progress.
Obstacles in concession agreement
At the core of the issue is the concession agreement signed between the central government and Bangalore International Airport Limited. As per this agreement, no new international airport can be developed within a radius of 150 km of Kempegowda International Airport for a period of 25 years from the commencement of operations.
Since KIA began operations in 2008, this exclusivity clause is valid until May 2033. The central government has now clarified that this clause is binding, meaning that no second airport can be built or operationalized in the Bengaluru region before this deadline.
This condition applies regardless of site feasibility, traffic growth or state-level planning efforts.
What about HAL and Jakkur airports?
Bengaluru already has HAL airport and Jakkur airstrip, which are often mentioned during discussions on alternative aviation infrastructure. However, the concession agreement also contains an important restriction. Existing airports within the restricted radius cannot be renovated, upgraded or converted for commercial civil operations during the exclusivity period.
This effectively rules out the possibility of expansion of HAL or Jakkur to act as a commercial alternative to KIA, while keeping Kempegowda Airport as the only major aviation hub in the city till 2033.
The state is ready for the long game
Despite the legal limitations, the Karnataka government has decided not to stop the scheme completely. Karnataka State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation has invited tenders to appoint an expert consultancy firm to prepare a detailed technical, economic and local feasibility report for the future second airport.
The last date for submission of applications for this consultancy tender is January 12, 2026. Officials say this initial groundwork will help the state move forward quickly after the exclusivity period ends, avoiding delays that could harm the city’s economic momentum.
The consultancy is expected to assess passenger projections, cargo growth, regional development impact and multi modal connectivity, ensuring that future decisions are data based rather than reactive.
a high stakes waiting game
For now, Bengaluru is stuck to a single airport model, even as passenger numbers continue to rise. While the Kempegowda International Airport is aggressively expanding, experts warn that aviation planning works best when decisions are taken decades in advance.
The central government’s clarification puts an end to speculations about the opening of the second airport, but it also puts the focus on how efficiently the KIA can grow over the next 8 years. For a city that prides itself on being forward-thinking, the real challenge lies not in breaking the rules, but in being prepared the moment they no longer apply.
December 19, 2025, 12:57 IST
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