BENGALURU: Work on the second runway and terminal at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) is in advanced stages of planning, a senior state government official said on Tuesday.
“When the airport was constructed, the growth projected was probably understated. The growth has been phenomenal. We are going to touch 18 million (passengers) by the year-end, and it is growing very fast,” said Vandita Sharma, Principal Secretary, Department of Infrastructure Development.
“We need to cater to the flying population. The Bangalore International Airport Ltd (operator of the KIA) is trying to keep pace. Work on the second runway is starting now, and work on the second terminal too will start soon,” she added.
She was speaking at the inauguration of the India MRO-Aerospace and Defence 2015 here, where she pitched Karnataka as the MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) hub of India.
With the rapid growth of the aviation sector in the country, it has also become imperative to have a strong maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) infrastructure in the country, she said.
Flights diverted to B’luru Airport
Bengaluru: Two International and nine domestic flights from the Chennai International Airport were on Tuesday diverted to the Kempegowda International Airport following bad weather and high wind turbulence. The Airport Authority of India officials said Chennai Airport has been shut down temporarily. KIA officials said lodging will be made available here and arrangements will be made if passengers want to go to Chennai by road.