Transfers between terminals at Bengaluru airport will soon get an upgrade, here’s how Bengaluru-News News

Last updated:07 January, 2026, 15:53 ​​​​IST

The APM is a completely driverless, rail-based transit system designed for short-distance, high-frequency travel. They run on dedicated tracks and run at fixed intervals.

Anyone who has arrived at the Kempegowda International Airport with a boarding pass in one hand and luggage in the other knows this feeling. You clear security, check your gate, and then realize your flight is from another terminal. The next few minutes are spent looking for a shuttle bus, checking my watch, and hoping for traffic to return to normal inside the airport streets.

That short but stressful part of the journey may soon be history.

Passenger movement between terminals at Bengaluru airport is set to get a major upgrade, with plans to introduce an automated people mover system. It promises faster transfers, smoother rides and one less reason to panic when connections are tight.

what’s really coming to kia

Bangalore International Airport Limited has taken the first official step towards this change by inviting bids for design consultancy services for Automated People Mover, often called APM. It marks the beginning of a project that could transform everyday airport movements for millions of passengers.

The APM is a fully driverless, rail-based transit system designed for short-distance, high-frequency travel. Unlike buses, these systems run on dedicated tracks, run at fixed intervals and do not depend on road traffic or human drivers. Around the world, they are a familiar sight at major airports, silently ferrying passengers between terminals with on-time efficiency.

Why does this matter for Bengaluru commuters?

Currently, passengers at Kempegowda International Airport rely on electric shuttle buses to travel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. When they work, they often face waiting times, congestion during peak hours, and occasional confusion about stops.

With international traffic increasing and Terminal 2 being added to the airport’s reach, inter-terminal movement has become a larger part of the travel experience. A missed shuttle or delayed transfer could easily mean a missed flight.

Automated people movers aim to remove that uncertainty. Once operational, it will offer predictable journey times, smoother rides and far more seamless connections between terminals.

First time for Indian airports

Plans for this system were first revealed in December 2023. When implemented, it will make Bengaluru the first airport in India to introduce an automated, rail-based inter-terminal transit system.

Globally, such systems are already standard at airports in the United States, China, Malaysia and Singapore. For frequent international travelers, they’re part of what makes larger airports feel organized rather than overwhelming. Bengaluru now looks ready to join that league.

For a city that considers itself visionary, the move is about more than just infrastructure. It is about setting a new benchmark for airport experience in India.

where does the project stand now

Currently, the APM project is still in its tender stage. BIAL has invited consultants to help with design and planning, but final timelines for construction and rollout have not yet been announced.

Airport officials have said that detailed schedules will be clear only after the consultation process is completed and the feasibility assessment is finalised. In other words, the idea is firmly on track, but passengers will have to wait a little longer before seeing construction on the ground.

A luxury hotel is also in the plans

Along with the transit upgrades, another big plan is quietly taking shape within the airport complex.

Bangalore Airport Hotels Limited, a subsidiary of BIAL, has issued a request for proposals to appoint consultants for a feasibility study on building an ultra-luxury hotel at the airport. The idea is to cater to premium passengers, airline crew and long-haul transit passengers who prefer to stay close to the terminal rather than travel into the city.

Like APM, this project is still in the study phase. BIAL declined to share timelines, saying both initiatives are currently under evaluation. But together, they point a clear direction, making the airport much more than just a place to catch a flight.

What can travelers expect in the future

For passengers, these developments signal a change in the development of Kempegowda International Airport. The focus is now not just on connecting terminals and runways, but also on improving the spaces between them.

Faster terminal transfers, better connectivity within the airport, and premium accommodation options all point to a more passenger-centric future.

When the automated people mover finally begins operating, it will likely become one of the features that passengers immediately take for granted. Short journey instead of long wait. A smooth relationship rather than a tense dash.

And for anyone who has ever stood at a shuttle stop and checked their boarding time, this change can’t come soon enough.