New pickup-time rules at Kempegowda airport deferred to December 11 after Indigo row

BIAL puts new arrival-pickup restrictions on hold for three days, citing ongoing Indigo issues and concerns of further disruption at KIA.

The management of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA), Devanahalli, has postponed the rollout of its new traffic-control rules at the Terminal 1 arrival pickup area. The decision comes in the backdrop of the ongoing issues involving IndiGo operations, with authorities stating they did not want a second disruption while the airline matter remains active.

Airport officials had initially planned to enforce the new rules from this afternoon. However, after assessing the situation, the rollout has been pushed forward by three days, with December 11 now set as the tentative enforcement date.

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Under the revised system, only private vehicles and airport-authorised cabs will be allowed at the T1 arrival pickup points. Each vehicle will be permitted to stay for a maximum of 8 minutes.

If a vehicle exceeds the time limit:
•    ₹150 will be charged after 8 minutes,
•    ₹300 for remaining beyond 13 minutes,
•    Vehicles staying even longer will be towed to the local airport police station.

Taxis and EV cabs will no longer be allowed at the main pickup lane. They must shift to Parking Zones 3 and 4, where the same 8-minute cap applies.

If they cross 18 minutes, airport authorities will tow the vehicle to the airport police station.

The move is aimed at bringing order to side-lane pickups and easing the heavy vehicle congestion that frequently builds up outside the arrival gate.

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With the possibility of resistance from taxi drivers, CISF personnel have been deployed near the arrival gate to ensure smooth implementation once the rules come into force.

Airport authorities say the system will help manage traffic flow more efficiently and reduce blockages during peak hours. The new framework is expected to go live after December 11, once the Indigo issue stabilises and the airport is confident of avoiding further operational strain.