Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is set to undergo a significant upgrade with the planned introduction of a new elevated taxiway, which is expected to begin construction in early 2025. According to a report by Moneycontrol, this project aims to improve aircraft movement and substantially reduce waiting times.

The Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), which manages the airport, indicated that the design for the western cross-field taxiway is nearing completion, with discussions ongoing with potential contractors. The new taxiway, which will cover approximately 1.4 kilometres and consist of two parallel paths, is designed to connect the existing North and South runways. The report highlights that this enhancement will allow for the accommodation of larger aircraft, including the Airbus A380 and Boeing 777.

The elevated taxiways are also set to cross crucial city-side roads, including the North Cargo Road and a proposed metro corridor, which will facilitate smoother operations and improve commuting options. A BIAL official stated that this infrastructure is intended to streamline airfield circulation and reduce fuel consumption by minimising taxi times.

In addition to the taxiway developments, BIAL is addressing seasonal disruptions. With winter approaching, the airport is prepared to mitigate fog-related flight delays. The North runway has been upgraded to support low-visibility take-offs, allowing for simultaneous operations on both runways during poor weather. This enhancement is projected to increase the airport's capacity from 22 to 60 air traffic movements per hour under low-visibility conditions.

BIAL aims to complete the civil works for the North runway by the end of December 2024, enabling full-day operations with the increased capacity. These upgrades are anticipated to alleviate passenger inconvenience, making travel through Bengaluru more efficient than ever.