AAI to submit expert report on Bengaluru’s Second International Airport within days

The Airports Authority of India is set to deliver its expert report on the proposed second international airport for Bengaluru, with two shortlisted sites along Kanakapura Road and Nelamangala-Kunigal Road under review.

The long-awaited process to establish Bengaluru’s second international airport is moving ahead, with the Airports Authority of India (AAI) expected to submit its expert report within the next two to three days. Industries and Infrastructure Development Minister MB Patil confirmed that the report will be reviewed by the state cabinet before a final decision is made on the location.

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In April, an AAI technical team had inspected two potential sites, one located along Kanakapura Road in Bengaluru South and the other near Nelamangala-Kunigal Road in Bengaluru Rural. Sources indicate that both sites have been found technically feasible, though financial viability and logistical convenience will play key roles in the final selection.

The government has initiated the groundwork well ahead of the current regulatory restriction, which prevents the launch of another international airport within a 150-kilometre radius of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) until 2033. Patil noted that such large-scale infrastructure projects take at least five to six years to complete, and planning must therefore begin early to meet future air traffic demand.

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With Bengaluru’s passenger traffic and industrial activity rising steadily, the new airport is seen as a strategic step to ease pressure on KIA and cater to the city’s southern and western zones. Karnataka’s plans also take into account Tamil Nadu’s proposal for a new airport in Hosur, close to the state border, a move that could influence future passenger flow patterns.

While some legislators have proposed Tumakuru as an alternative site, others are advocating for locations closer to South Bengaluru. The minister clarified that factors such as passenger density, connectivity, industrial growth, and long-term sustainability will guide the final decision.

Once the AAI report is submitted, the cabinet will assess both locations before inviting private developers to conduct detailed feasibility and financial studies. If timelines align, Bengaluru could become India’s third city after Delhi and Mumbai to host two international airports by the early 2030s.

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