BLR airport introduces new easures to ensure safer, smoother arrival experience for passengers from December 8

BENGALURU: Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (BLR Airport), operated by Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), is introducing enhanced pick-up measures from December 8, 2025 onwards, to streamline passenger movement, reduce congestion, and improve safety, discipline, and overall convenience at arrival areas.

BLR Airport is India’s third-largest and fastest-growing airport serving approximately 130,000 passengers every day. A daily volume of roughly 100,000 vehicles traversing the airport’s road network places significant strain on its landside facilities, particularly the kerbside (drop-off and pick-up lanes) in front of the terminals. In response, the airport is reviewing and refining its processes to enhance the passenger experience, ease congestion and align with evolving needs and safety standards.

Prolonged waiting by private cars and cabs creates artificial congestion, hindering traffic flow and inconveniencing passengers and drivers. To address this and to improve the passenger experience, BIAL is introducing a lane segregation system to enforce discipline, prevent unauthorised parking, and reduce dwell times. This will ease kerbside congestion and deter misuse of the pick-up zone in front of the terminals.

As per the new lane segregation system, entry to the designated arrival pick-up zone in T1 and T2 will be free for all private cars (white board), however, there will be a charge for misusing or overstaying inside the zone beyond the prescribed time limits. The airport will give 8 minutes (much higher than international standards) of free use of the zone for all the users beyond which there will be Rs.150/- charges for overstay from 8-13 minutes and Rs.300/- charges for 13-18 minutes. Any vehicle overstaying beyond 18 minutes will be towed to the nearest police station, and applicable fines and towing charges will be levied.

All commercial vehicles, including yellow board taxis and electric cabs, are required to wait for passengers only at the designated parking zones. To facilitate a seamless pick-up experience, the first 10 minutes of parking will be complimentary. Commercial vehicles arriving at Terminal 1 should proceed to the P4 and P3 parking zones, while those serving Terminal 2 are directed to the P2 parking zone.

Speaking on the initiative, Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Ltd (BIAL), added, “With passenger traffic continuing to rise, especially during the travel season, it becomes essential to maintain discipline at pick-up zones, not as enforcement, but as a way to protect travellers, ensure orderly movement, and strengthen trust in the system. When passengers and cab operators follow the designated process, the experience becomes quicker, safer and more convenient for everyone involved. We look forward to the support of all stakeholders in making the airport experience seamless and well organised.”

In recent months, BLR Airport has observed increasing instances of halts by unauthorised cabs, vehicles waiting outside arrival gates and exit ramps, or engaging in roadside pick-ups. These behaviours often result in crowding, passenger inconvenience, and avoidable delays, while also posing safety risks and disrupting traffic flow. To ensure a smoother, and passenger-friendly experience, travellers and cab operators are encouraged to use only designated pick-up points and authorised aggregators such as Airport Taxi, Uber, Ola, Quick Ride, OHM electric cabs, and WTI cabs. Any deviation, including halting in unauthorised areas, blocking lanes, or overstaying beyond the permitted waiting duration, will attract fines, applicable to both cab operators and individuals found in violation.

This move aligns with the airport’s larger #BeCabWise initiative, designed to foster safer and better-regulated pick-up operations through improved awareness, on-ground guidance, clearer digital signage, and coordination with ride-hailing platforms. The objective is to create a congestion-free landside environment where vehicle flow is smooth, transition times are quicker, and boarding areas remain organised and safe.

With continued investments in infrastructure, technology, and passenger support systems, BLR Airport remains committed to enabling a safe, efficient, and world-class passenger journey.

About BIAL:

Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport), operated by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), closed FY 2024–25 with strong performance across key metrics. The airport became the first in South India to serve over 41.88 million passengers, earning a place in the ACI Large Airport category. As the third largest airport in the country, BLR surpassed 350 million cumulative passengers since its opening in February 2025. In terms of cargo, BLR Airport continues to be the No. 1 airport in India for processing perishable cargo for the fourth consecutive year. Terminal 2 (T2) is the first airport terminal in India to earn the prestigious Skytrax 5-Star Rating, joining an elite group of terminals worldwide. BIAL’s growth is powered by Fairfax India Holdings Corporation, its majority private promoter. Through significant investment, Fairfax plays a key role in accelerating the airport’s development and transformation.