Bengaluru airport tops India’s baggage theft list, raising serious security concerns

Four thefts reported at Kempegowda Airport in 2025 despite multi-layered security checks

Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has emerged as the country’s top hotspot for baggage thefts in 2025, according to official responses tabled in the Lok Sabha. Between January 1 and November 27, the airport recorded four incidents, the highest among nine airports where thefts were reported nationwide. Hyderabad, Delhi IGI, Mumbai, Nagpur and Rajkot logged just one case each.

Though the numbers appear low compared to millions of bags processed every year, the concentration of cases at KIA has raised concerns over handling lapses in high-pressure baggage zones, especially during peak hours.

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According to government data, the incidents took place at crucial stages of the baggage cycle, screening, cargo handling and Baggage Makeup Areas (BMA), all of which operate under stringent Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) rules. Theft remains a state law-and-order issue, with cases referred to local police.

Security protocols include:

•    100% CCTV surveillance of baggage handling
•    Mandatory frisking of ground staff
•    Airline security deployment at BMA and Baggage Breakup Areas (BBA)
•    Foot patrolling by ASG and APSU personnel

Authorities maintain that CISF help desks allow passengers to file complaints easily, while specialised CCTV teams monitor suspicious activity round-the-clock. Airlines also supervise loaders, and coordination between airline security and CISF helps tighten checks when anomalies appear.

For Bengaluru’s high-density traffic corridor, handling heavy domestic and cargo flow, even a single lapse can cause disproportionate damage. Passenger groups say four thefts may seem statistically insignificant but remain alarming given the airport’s reputation as one of India’s safest.

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Complaints are increasingly being raised through CPGRAMS, INGRAM and AirSewa, indicating that the public wants quicker redressal and clearer accountability.

Experts point out that Bengaluru Airport reflects a national paradox: even top-tier, heavily monitored airports are not fully immune to theft. The need for stronger training, continuous monitoring and rapid response mechanisms is being emphasised as the airport continues efforts to remain one of India’s most secure aviation hubs.