After carefully considering Bengaluru and Hyderabad as potential hubs for international operations in South India, Air India has decided to go with Kempegowda BLR Airport. This decision marks a significant milestone in Air India’s journey towards becoming a world-class airline.
They’ve announced strategic plans to establish Bengaluru Airport as their second hub in the country, partnering with Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). This collaboration aims to not only make Bengaluru a primary gateway to South India but also a hub for international arrivals and departures.
This move is expected to boost Air India’s network expansion plans, particularly for routes to the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The main goal of developing Kempegowda BLR Airport into a premier hub is to enhance long-haul air connectivity to and from South India over the next five years, while also focusing on operational efficiency and improving the passenger experience.
The hub-and-spoke model that Air India plans to implement will enable international departures from Bengaluru for passengers from southern parts of India, as well as domestic connections for international arrivals at Bangalore International Airport.
Sourav Agarwal, the Editor of Travel Beats, noted, “The South Indian Diaspora in America, for instance, have been vocal about their wish for direct connectivity from Dallas to Hyderabad, Boston to Chennai, Atlanta to Kochi, Seattle to Bengaluru, and Chicago to Hyderabad.
The upcoming Bangalore hub of Air India would help fulfil the wish, as flying NRIs to and from their home towns across South India via Bengaluru’s Kempegowda Airport seems more feasible than via the overcrowded New Delhi Airport which see hundreds of flight delays and cancellations due to intense fog during winter every year.”
Additionally, the success of Air India’s SFO to Bengaluru service may have influenced Tata Group’s decision to establish a South Indian hub. The Tata Group, including Air Vistara and Air India Express, aims to leverage the high passenger load factor for Bengaluru by strengthening their presence at the Garden Terminal of Bangalore Int. Airport.
Air India CEO & MD Campbell Wilson emphasized that the synergy between airlines and airports is crucial for tapping into the growth potential of this sector.
Furthermore, as part of the Tata Group of airlines’ upcoming hub at BLR Airport, a dedicated lounge for premium passengers of Air India and Air Vistara will be established. This lounge, located in Garden Terminal (T2), has been recognized by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful facilities in global aviation.