Milestone Achieved
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru has officially surpassed the significant milestone of 400 million passengers since it commenced operations.
This achievement marks a period of substantial growth, largely propelled by an upswing in international travel and strong performance in its cargo division during the 2025-26 fiscal year. The airport's board reviewed these key operational advancements and infrastructure developments at their 134th meeting. In the 2025-26 fiscal year alone, the airport facilitated the movement of 44.47 million passengers, demonstrating consistent expansion in both domestic and international travel segments. International passenger traffic saw a remarkable increase of 23.9%, reaching 7.23 million, while domestic numbers grew by 3.3% to 37.24 million. Overall, the airport experienced a 6.2% year-on-year increase in passenger traffic, underscoring persistent demand and Bengaluru's growing importance as a travel hub.
Global Connectivity
The airport currently provides direct flight services to an impressive array of destinations, offering non-stop connectivity to over 78 domestic locations and 34 international cities. This extensive network solidifies its standing as a pivotal aviation gateway in Southern India. Complementing the passenger growth, the airport's cargo operations have also maintained a strong trajectory. Throughout the fiscal year, it handled an impressive 532,000 metric tonnes of cargo, representing a 6% increase from the previous year. This cargo surge is supported by 15 dedicated cargo airlines connecting Bengaluru to major global hubs such as Chicago, Singapore, London Heathrow, Frankfurt, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. The demand for cargo services is primarily driven by key industries including pharmaceuticals, agricultural exports, electronics, automotive components, spare parts, and e-commerce shipments.
Perishables Leader
Perishable cargo has played a particularly vital role in the airport's overall expansion, enabling Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru to maintain its leadership position as India's premier export gateway for such goods for the fifth consecutive year. During the year, the airport managed approximately 60 million rose stems, with volumes experiencing a substantial increase of 38% and tonnage rising by 64%. Mango exports also saw a healthy growth of 12%, while coriander volumes grew by 13% year-on-year. This specialization in perishables highlights the airport's critical infrastructure and logistical capabilities for time-sensitive and high-value exports. The overall increase in air traffic movements, reaching 280,800 in FY 2025-26, a 4.5% rise from the previous year, with an average of 769 movements daily and a peak of 837 in a single day, demonstrates the airport's operational capacity and efficiency.
Recognition & Expansion
The airport's excellent performance and services were recognized with multiple international accolades during the year. It was awarded “Best Regional Airport in India and South Asia” by Skytrax and “Best Airport at Arrivals Globally” at the ACI ASQ Awards. Furthermore, its ranking in the Skytrax World Airport list improved significantly, moving from 48th to 41st place. The airport also received enhanced customer experience and accessibility accreditations from Airports Council International, reflecting its commitment to passenger satisfaction. During the board meeting, ongoing and planned infrastructure expansion projects were also a key topic, focusing on enhancing capacity, operational resilience, and ensuring sustained long-term growth. These continued developments are expected to further cement Bengaluru's status as a major global hub for aviation and logistics.
