Bengaluru airport introduces paid premium pick-up zone for corporate cabs at Terminal 1

BIAL begins soft rollout of a chargeable departure-level pick-up facility as parking and access rules at Kempegowda International Airport continue to evolve.

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has introduced a new paid pick-up option specifically for corporate cab services, adding a fresh layer to its transport and parking system. The move has been rolled out on a trial basis by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the airport operator.

As part of this “soft rollout,” a premium pick-up facility has been created at Terminal 1 on the departures level. Airport officials said the designated pick-up point is located in the fifth lane of the terminal. Under the new system, corporate taxis accessing this premium zone will be charged ₹275 for the first 10 minutes.

If a vehicle stays beyond the initial 10-minute window, an additional fee of ₹150 will be levied for every extra five minutes spent at the pick-up point. The pricing structure is aimed at regulating vehicle movement while offering a faster and more direct pick-up option at the terminal.

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The new paid facility comes amid wider changes to parking and pick-up norms at the airport, which have drawn criticism from both cab drivers and passengers in recent weeks. Following feedback and protests, BIAL has already relaxed some of its earlier rules for commercial vehicles.

One key change came into effect on December 26, 2025, when the free waiting time for commercial vehicles at the Terminal 1 arrivals area was increased from 10 minutes to 15 minutes. This move was seen as partial relief for drivers who had complained that earlier limits made passenger pick-ups difficult.

Earlier, regulations introduced on December 13 required commercial vehicles to wait at designated P3 and P4 parking areas, with only 10 minutes of free parking allowed. Under the revised system, drivers now get 15 minutes free. After that, a charge of ₹100 applies for the first 30 minutes, followed by ₹50 for every additional hour.

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The initial rollout of these parking rules had triggered strong opposition. On December 16, hundreds of cab drivers staged a protest near the Sadahalli toll gate, arguing that the new framework increased operating costs and complicated airport pick-ups. Airport authorities are continuing to fine-tune the system based on stakeholder feedback.