The construction of a new elevated taxiway at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is set to commence in the first quarter of 2025, with completion expected within three years. This development aims to enhance aircraft movement efficiency at the airport, according to Satyaki Raghunath, Chief Operating Officer of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL).

The project will include the construction of two parallel taxiways, each approximately 1.4 km long, connecting the existing North and South runways on the western side of the airport. The new taxiways will accommodate both Code F aircraft, such as the Airbus A380, and Code E aircraft, including the Boeing 777.

The proposed taxiways will pass over several critical infrastructure elements, including the North Cargo Road, the Main Access Road, the planned Blue Line metro corridor connecting KR Puram to KIA, and the South Access Road. The elevated design will improve connectivity between the runways, reduce taxiing times, and lower fuel consumption.

“This project will significantly enhance airfield circulation and provide additional connectivity between the North and South runways,” said Raghunath, adding that the new infrastructure will streamline operations and contribute to fuel savings.

KIA’s initiative follows a similar development at Delhi’s airport, which became India’s first to feature a dual elevated taxiway system in 2023. This addition helped reduce the time passengers spend on the ground after landing and before takeoff, resulting in lower CO2 emissions and operational costs for airlines. BIAL has also announced improvements in managing low-visibility conditions during the upcoming winter season, which traditionally cause delays and diversions at KIA. The North runway now has the necessary infrastructure and approvals for low-visibility takeoff (LVT), allowing dual runway operations even when visibility is reduced.

“During low-visibility conditions, we can now use both runways: the North runway for departures and the CAT-III ILS-compliant South runway for arrivals,” Raghunath said. Previously, low visibility limited operations to a single runway, reducing capacity to around 22 air traffic movements (ATMs) per hour.

With the new upgrades, KIA will be able to handle up to 60 ATMs per hour during low visibility, significantly boosting efficiency. The North runway, currently equipped with CAT I systems, is being upgraded to CAT III standards, with civil works expected to be completed by the end of December 2024.

“Once the civil works near the North runway are completed, both runways will be available for full-day operations, with a declared capacity of 60 ATMs per hour,” Raghunath stated. Until then, the airport will continue to operate a single South runway with a capacity of 43 ATMs per hour outside peak times.

The upgrades aim to provide greater operational flexibility and efficiency, ensuring smoother flight operations at Bengaluru Airport throughout the year, especially during periods of low visibility.

(Moneycontrol)