AAI flags key hurdles in Bengaluru’s second airport plan

The Airports Authority of India’s pre-feasibility report to the Karnataka government outlines major challenges in building a second international airport for Bengaluru, including terrain issues, airspace overlaps, and environmental concerns.

The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has shared a pre-feasibility report with the Karnataka government on the proposed second international airport for Bengaluru. The report evaluates three potential locations, two near Harohalli on Kanakapura Road and one near Nelamangala on Kunigal Road, covering areas of 4,800 to 5,200 acres each. While the report does not finalize or reject any location, it identifies several key challenges that must be addressed before moving forward.

Proximity to Bannerghatta Forest:

One of the major concerns flagged by AAI is that all proposed sites lie close to the Bannerghatta Hill range and forest area. This poses a possible risk to aircraft during take-off and landing due to bird activity and elevation. Detailed aeronautical and environmental assessments will be required to ensure safety and compliance.

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Challenging Terrain:

The terrain around Nelamangala and Kunigal is rocky and uneven, which would make large-scale land leveling necessary. This could significantly increase construction costs and delay the project timeline.

HAL Airspace Overlap:

Another technical obstacle is that all shortlisted sites fall under the airspace managed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Coordinating civil and defence airspace use will require flexible operational agreements and additional safety clearances.

Karnataka’s Minister for Large and Medium Industries, M.B. Patil, clarified that the AAI report serves only as a reference document. “Each location has its pros and cons. The state will conduct its own technical and financial evaluations before making a final decision,” he stated. The government also intends to consult infrastructure and aviation experts and may later involve private developers in the project.

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport has already exceeded its design capacity due to rapid passenger growth. The need for a second airport is becoming urgent as passenger numbers are projected to double within the next decade. However, as the AAI report makes clear, identifying and developing suitable land within 100–120 km of Bengaluru will require overcoming complex environmental, technical, and regulatory challenges before construction can begin.