Bengaluru may not get its second airport: details inside

No proposal yet for a second Bengaluru airport; any new airport or HAL reopening within 150 km of KIA needs BIAL’s consent until its 25th anniversary

The Government of India has clarified that no formal proposal has been received for developing a second airport for Bengaluru or reopening the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Airport for commercial passenger operations. This update was presented in the Lok Sabha on December 18, 2025, in response to an unstarred question raised by MP P.C. Mohan.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) conducted pre-feasibility studies at three potential sites for a second airport based on a request from the Government of Karnataka (GoK). The findings were submitted to the state government, but no further proposal has been received under the Greenfield Airport (GFA) Policy from either the GoK or any private airport developer.

A key obstacle to any new airport development near Bengaluru is the existing concession agreement between the Government of India and Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), the operator of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA). The agreement prohibits the development, improvement, or upgradation of any airport—except Mysore and Hassan—within a 150-kilometre aerial radius of KIA until the 25th anniversary of its opening.

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This clause effectively blocks the reopening of HAL Airport or the construction of a new airport in the region unless BIAL consents to the move. Any such development would also require modifications to the existing concession agreement and could involve compensation to BIAL.

The issue has gained attention amid growing concerns over Bengaluru’s increasing air traffic and the need for additional infrastructure to support future demand. While the feasibility studies indicate preliminary interest, the lack of a formal proposal and the binding contractual terms suggest that progress on a second airport remains stalled.

As Bengaluru continues to expand as a major tech and business hub, stakeholders are expected to revisit the long-term aviation strategy, balancing infrastructure needs with existing agreements and regulatory frameworks.

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